The 96th Academy Awards’ in memoriam segment ignited fierce backlash for excluding Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, two actors who died in February 2026. Their omission highlights the Academy’s persistent bias toward film over television, despite both having significant cinematic work and profound cultural impact.
During the 2026 Oscars broadcast on March 16, the Academy’s annual in memoriam segment paid tribute to film industry figures who passed away in the past year. Missing from the roll call were Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, both of whom died in February after battling serious illnessesReality Tea. Dane lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while Van Der Beek succumbed to colorectal cancer.
While the Oscars centering on motion picture achievements makes some exclusions inevitable, both actors had substantial film credits alongside their television fame. Dane appeared in movies like Valentine’s Day and The Hangover Part III, while Van Der Beek starred in Varsity Blues and The Theory of Everything. Their primary legacy, however, remains rooted in TV: Dane’s iconic role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Van Der Beek’s breakthrough as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek.
The snub sparked immediate debate about the Academy’s narrow criteria. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, defended the decision in remarks to Entertainment Tonight, stating, “He’s not a movie star. You can’t fault the Oscars for leaving him out given all the big film stars who passed awayReality Tea.” Her comment underscores a decades-long tension: the Academy has historically resisted recognizing television performers, even as TV’s creative prestige has soared.
Fans and industry colleagues expressed outrage online, calling the omission a profound missed opportunityReality Tea. In response, their respective creative families rallied. Grey’s Anatomy produced a moving tribute video celebrating Eric Dane’s legacy and his beloved “Dr. McSteamy” personaAOL. Joshua Jackson, who starred alongside Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek for six seasons, publicly shared how deeply his death affected him. Meanwhile, Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg made a significant donation to Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe, supporting his family in the wake of his passing.
The 2026 in memoriam segment did honor other notable figures, including Rob and Michele Reiner, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Val Kilmer. For fans of Dane and Van Der Beek, their absence was particularly jarring given their recent work: Dane’s final film, Family Secrets, is in post-production, while Van Der Beek’s last movie, The Gates, premiered in the United States just days before his death.
This controversy is not merely about two names missing from a list. It reflects the Academy’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its film-centric identity with an entertainment landscape where television actors achieve cinematic-level fame and artistic influence. Dane and Van Der Beek were not peripheral figures; they were leading men who defined cultural moments for millions. Their omission suggests that even in 2026, the Oscars’ memorial remains a gatekeeper, privileging traditional film pedigree over widespread cultural impact.
For fans, the snub feels personal. Both actors cultivated deep, enduring connections with audiences through serialized storytelling that film rarely affords. The rush to memorialize them on their own shows—while the Academy remained silent—highlights a disconnect between institutions and the communities that sustain them. As television continues to eclipse film in popularity and critical acclaim, the in memoriam segment’s rigidity appears increasingly anachronistic.
The incident also raises questions about the segment’s selection process. With countless industry professionals dying each year, difficult choices are unavoidable. Yet the pattern of overlooking television’s biggest stars—especially those who crossed over to film—sends a clear message: in the Academy’s eyes, a movie star is a distinct class, and TV fame does not translate. This hierarchy feels increasingly outdated as platforms blur and actors build multi-platform careers.
Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek’s legacies will undoubtedly endure through their work and the tributes from their peers. But the Oscars’ silence will be remembered as a stark example of an institution failing to adapt. Their families, friends, and fans deserved better than a categorical erasure based on medium.
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