The 98th annual Academy Awards took place on Sunday night. During the ceremony, many Hollywood stars who have died in the past year were honored in the emotional In Memoriam segment. These late great stars included Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner, and many more.
However, other Hollywood icons were not lucky enough to make it into the Oscars’ annual In Memoriam segment. Since last night, fans have been taking to social media to express their shock and horror at some of these snubs. Here are some of the most surprising late stars who were left off the In Memoriam list.
Brigitte Bardot
Some would argue that the snub of Brigitte Bardot, the French bombshell who starred in some of the most classic films of Hollywood’s golden era, was the most shocking of all. She died on December 28, 2025 at the age of 91 after a battle with cancer.
Bardot alienated the liberal world of Hollywood in her later years when she became an outspoken conservative activist. While this seemingly made the liberal elites of Hollywood think that she was unworthy of their In Memoriam segment, social media users have made it clear that they do not agree.
“‘Brigitte Bardot not being included in the In Memoriam segment is a pretty astounding miss,” one social media user commented, with another asking in response, “How do they get this wrong every year??”
“The #Oscars forgot to include Brigitte Bardot in the In Memoriam segment. TOTAL SHAME,” a third social media user wrote. A fourth stated. “How can @TheAcademy exclude legend Brigitte Bardot who also had an extensive movie career!?!”
James Van Der Beek
Other fans are up in arms over James Van Der Beek not being included in the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment. He died just last month after a multi-year battle with colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek was only 48 years old, and he leaves behind a wife six children.
While Van Der Beek was best known for his television work in the show Dawson’s Creek, he was also known for starring in movies like Varsity Blues and Downsizing. His fans believe that this firmly warranted him a spot on the In Memoriam list.
Many social media users expressing their fury over Van Der Beek’s snub are grouping him together with the actor Eric Dane, who was omitted from the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment as well. Dane died one week after Van Der Beek’s passing. His death came at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with ALS.
Like Van Der Beek, Dane was also best known for his TV work in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria. However, he also starred in major movies like X-Men: The Last Stand and Burlesque.
“Why weren’t Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek included in the In Memoriam #Oscars,” one social media user commented. Another added of the pair, “‘They’re TV actors.’ They’ve both been in films and they have had TV actors in the film awards memoriam before BUT they miss more prominent film actors every year somehow.”
Robert Carradine
The final snub we’re covering is that of Robert Carradine. Sadly, he took his own life last month after a decades-long battle with bipolar disorder. Carradine was 71 years-old.
Carradine was best known for starring in the 1980s comedy Revenge of the Nerds. He also had an illustrious film career outside of that movie, however. Carradine made his own onscreen debut alongside the legendary John Wayne in The Cowboys in 1972.
A successful film career quickly followed. Highlights included Carradine’s role in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets in 1973 and 1978’s Coming Home, alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. Though Fonda and Voight both won Oscars for their work in that movie, Carradine earned some of the best critical reviews from the cast.
Carradine’s illustrious movie career has left many fans perturbed that he was left off the In Memoriam list as well.
While the Oscars can’t include everyone in their annual In Memoriam segment, these four omissions certainly have left fans scratching their heads. Here’s hoping that the Oscars can do a better job with their In Memoriam segment next year.