The 2025 Emmy Awards “In Memoriam” segment left viewers upset over major omissions. Hollywood legends Gene Hackman and Val Kilmer were excluded from the broadcast, sparking outrage across social media. While the ceremony honored many iconic stars, fans could not ignore the glaring absences.
The In Memoriam segment opened with Phylicia Rashad remembering her Cosby Show co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, followed by Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performing “Go Rest High on That Mountain” with a choir. The tribute honored stars including Ozzy Osbourne, Maggie Smith, Loretta Swit, Michelle Trachtenberg, John Amos, Richard Chamberlain, David Lynch, and Quincy Jones.
Many viewers quickly noticed the omissions. The broadcast excluded Val Kilmer, who died on April 2 at 65, despite his television roles in Entourage, Knight Rider, and The Choe Show. It also left out Gene Hackman, who died on February 26 at 94, even though he appeared in series such as I, Spy and The Defenders.
Other names missing from the televised broadcast but included on the Television Academy’s website were Hulk Hogan, Polly Holliday (Alice), Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty), Lee Joo-sil (Squid Game), Jeff Baena, Tony Todd, Connie Francis, Danielle Spencer (What’s Happening), Graham Greene, Leslie Charleson (General Hospital), Jonathan Joss (King of the Hill), Lynne Marie Stewart (Pee-Wee’s Playhouse), Jerry Adler (The Sopranos), and Jay North (Dennis the Menace).
The longer scroll online also acknowledged Terence Stamp, Tristan Rogers, Loni Anderson, and many others.
The absence of these names on television did not go unnoticed. Fans immediately voiced frustration on X, with one writing, “Did they leave out Gene Hackman? Ugh #Emmys.” Another posted, “No mention of @HulkHogan during the In Memoriam segment at the #Emmys. Disgraceful. Brother was on TV for 40 years!!” Others highlighted the omissions of Jeff Baena and Polly Holliday.
While time constraints often lead to difficult decisions, the 2025 Emmys In Memoriam segment left many viewers questioning why such influential figures were excluded from the broadcast.