Nicholas Brendon and Daveigh Chase Not Featured in Emmys In Memoriam Segment
The 2026 Emmy Awards remembered many beloved stars we lost this year, although not all were included in the In Memoriam segment.
During the poignant tribute at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards held in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, Noah Kahan took the stage to deliver a heartfelt performance of the iconic Simon & Garfunkel song “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” as the names of Hollywood talents who passed away in the last year appeared on the screen.
Sally Field and Reba McEntire also joined together on stage to pay their respects to their late friend Dolly Parton, with McEntire performing Parton’s song “Appalachian Memories.”
Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy later honored their television mother Catherine O’Hara, while Jamie Lee Curtis gave a tribute to Rob Reiner.
Parton, who received her only Emmy award in 2021 for Outstanding Television Movie as an executive producer for Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, passed away last month after a brief struggle with an undisclosed cancer. She was 80 years old.
Two-time Emmy recipient O’Hara tragically passed away from a pulmonary embolism in January at the age of 71, while Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were tragically killed in their home last December at ages 78 and 70, respectively.
Although Monday’s moving tribute honored numerous departed stars, it did leave out a few notable names, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Nicholas Brendon and Lilo & Stitch’s Daveigh Chase. Nevertheless, their names were included in a longer homage on the official Emmys website.
The most dazzling stars of television came together to celebrate the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14. The 78th annual ceremony, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, recognized the finest in primetime programming from June 2025 to the following May. Official nominations were announced in July, with The Pitt garnering more nominations than any other show.
In March, Brendon tragically passed away in his sleep at the age of 54. His death was later attributed to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with a blockage in the right coronary artery.
Just three months later, it was reported that Chase died while hospitalized, fighting meningitis and a blood infection that resulted in sepsis. She was only 35. The cause of her death was later confirmed to be acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with chronic polysubstance use identified as other significant health issues.
Sadly, on the same day as the 2026 Emmys, it was announced that the legendary costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie passed away at the age of 87.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Bob Mackie today,” read a statement from Mackie’s official Instagram account on Monday. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, dedicating his life to his dream of becoming a Fashion and Costume Designer, which was his primary goal. His incredible creativity and remarkable designs will endure, continuing to enhance the beauty of this world.”
Mackie was honored in the televised segment and acknowledged in the Emmys’ dedication on their website.
