Who Got Snubbed in the Oscars 'In Memoriam' Tribute?

WASHINGTON — The 2025 Academy Awards showcased a poignant tribute to the cinematic legends lost over the past year, honoring figures such as actor Gene Hackman and director David Lynch. However, several notable names were conspicuously absent from the In Memoriam segment.

Among the omissions was Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her role in “Harriet the Spy.” Trachtenberg passed away just days before the ceremony at the age of 39. Other prominent figures notably excluded included actors Tony Todd, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Linda Lavin, and Mitzi Gaynor, as well as documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.

Exclusions from the tribute often raise questions. The selection process hinges primarily on time constraints, as the Academy Awards must cover numerous categories within a limited broadcast period. Despite the brevity of the on-air tribute, the Academy provides a comprehensive list of those memorialized on its website. A QR code linking to this information appeared at the conclusion of the televised segment.

The In Memoriam segment commenced with a heartfelt tribute from Morgan Freeman, who honored two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, just days after his death. “This week our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman stated, emphasizing Hackman’s impact on audiences worldwide.

The segment also recognized other celebrated figures, including Terri Garr, Donald Sutherland, Louis Gossett Jr., and James Earl Jones. Additionally, a separate acknowledgment was made for the contributions of Quincy Jones during the telecast.