The 98th Academy Awards wrapped up on March 15 with the usual mix of wins, speeches, and big performances. Yet one part of the night has everyone talking the next day.
The In Memoriam segment paid tribute to film industry losses from the past year. It ran longer than usual to fit more names. Still, two actors who died only weeks earlier never showed up on screen: Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek.
Fans noticed right away. Social media lit up with confusion and frustration. Both men had strong TV roots but also solid film credits. Their deaths came so close to the ceremony that many expected to see them honored live.
Instead, the broadcast skipped them completely. The full list on the Oscars website does include both names along with others left off TV. That detail only added fuel to the fire.
The Controversial In Memoriam Moment
This year the Academy stretched the segment to cover a long list of losses. Viewers saw tributes to heavy hitters like Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara. Barbra Streisand even sang during one part. The montage felt respectful and emotional.
Yet several notable names stayed off the air. Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek topped the list of surprises. Other omissions included Brigitte Bardot, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Robert Carradine, June Lockhart, and Bud Cort.
Some had major film work on their resumes. Others leaned more toward television. The Academy has always focused on big-screen contributions when picking who makes the cut. Time limits play a role too. Even an extended tribute cannot squeeze in everyone.
The online version posted after the show fixes the gap for many. It lists every honoree with photos and short bios. Dane and Van Der Beek sit there alongside the rest. Still, the live broadcast is what millions watched in real time. Missing those faces felt personal to longtime fans.
Eric Dane’s Memorable Career
Eric Dane built a huge following as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. Viewers loved his charming, confident doctor nicknamed McSteamy. The role ran for years and made him a household name. He later joined Euphoria in a standout part that showed his range.
Film credits dotted his resume as well. He appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand, Burlesque, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. In 2025 he shared his ALS diagnosis publicly and turned into an advocate for awareness and research. The disease progressed quickly.
Dane died on February 19, 2026, at age 53 from complications including respiratory failure. The timing hit hard. His passing came less than a month before Oscars night.
James Van Der Beek’s Iconic Journey
James Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek. The late 1990s teen drama defined a generation, and his sensitive, thoughtful character became an instant icon. He followed that with the football drama Varsity Blues, which gave him a big-screen boost.
Later roles kept him working steadily in both TV and film. In 2024, he opened up about his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. He spoke openly about treatments, surgeries, and the importance of early screenings for younger adults.
The cancer battle lasted nearly two years. Van Der Beek died on February 11, 2026, at age 48, surrounded by family. Like Dane, the loss felt fresh when the Oscars rolled around.
Fans Speak Out and the Bigger Picture
Reactions poured in fast. On platforms like Reddit, X, and Instagram, posts called the omissions shocking. One Grey’s Anatomy fan wrote, “Was Eric Dane not in this memorial??? Cause I’m finna beat everybody up!!!” Others pointed out the recent deaths and asked why TV-heavy careers sometimes get overlooked even with film credits attached.
Some defended the Academy. They noted the segment already ran long and had to make tough choices. Others see a pattern of snubs for actors known more for small-screen work. The debate echoes past years when similar questions came up.
For now the conversation keeps growing. Supporters of Dane and Van Der Beek point to their impact, their advocacy, and how quickly they left us. The Oscars website fix helps, but the live moment is what sticks with viewers.
Whether the choices came down to simple timing or deeper decisions, the backlash shows how much these two stars still matter to fans. The 2026 In Memoriam may be over, yet the questions it raised are far from settled.
What do you think?