Emmys 2026 In Memoriam Omits Chuck Norris, Nicholas Brendon

Chuck Norris, Nicholas Brendon and five other television names were absent from the 2026 Emmy Awards In Memoriam telecast, which gave lengthy tributes to Rob Reiner, Dolly Parton and Catherine O'Hara. The omissions were detailed by The Hollywood Reporter after the ceremony.

Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy and Dan Levy introduced the In Memoriam section, the part of the show that remembers performers and makers who died during the previous year. It followed a separate tribute to O'Hara. Noah Kahan performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as photographs and clips were shown.

Jamie Lee Curtis delivered the tribute to Reiner, according to the Los Angeles Times. Reiner died alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner in December before the September ceremony, as reported by the Shelby Star.

Norris was among the most prominent absences. He died in March at age 86. He starred in Walker, Texas Ranger, which ran for 196 episodes from 1993 to 2001.

Brendon, known for television work, died in March at age 54. Patrick Muldoon died in April at age 57. He was best known for playing Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives. Daveigh Chase died in June at age 35.

The telecast also did not include Jaye P. Morgan, voice performers Peter Cullen and Tom Kane, and Grizz Chapman. Chapman’s absence was noted by Variety.

Those who were recognised included Anthony Head, Hayden Panettiere and Eric Dane. Panettiere and Dane were listed among those remembered during the segment by Rolling Stone.

For viewers, the list matters because the televised segment is short. Only some of those who died are shown on air. Others are often honoured on the Television Academy’s website instead.