The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards took a pause Sunday night for the annual “In Memoriam” segment, honoring TV figures who died over the past year.
The tribute featured a live performance of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain” with country star Lainey Wilson.
As the song played, photos and clips of late actors, producers and industry pros appeared on-screen at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Among the most notable names remembered was former “Cosby Show” star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died earlier this year at 54. He played Theo Huxtable for all eight seasons of the beloved sitcom.
Phylicia Rashad, who portrayed matriarch Clair Huxtable, introduced the “In Memoriam” segment and used the opportunity to say farewell to her on-screen son.
“He was a beloved teenager in a beloved TV series,” Rashad, 77, began. “Like all our friends and colleagues who transitioned this year, Malcolm-Jamal Warner remans in our hearts.”
“Tonight, as is tradition at the Emmys, we remember them not only for their immense talent, but the way they made us bigger,” she continued. “They made us smile, knowing their impact will remain.”
Dozens of additional tributes followed, including ones for Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne, late Food Network star Anne Burrell and actress Michelle Trachtenberg.
Osbourne died July 22 at 76, and the former “Osbournes” reality TV star’s cause of death was determined to be from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Burrell tragically passed away on June 17 at 55. She was best known for hosting the hit Food Network shows “Worst Cooks in America” and “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.”
Trachtenburg, meanwhile, died on February 26 at the age of 39. The “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star’s death was caused by complications from diabetes mellitus, per the NYC Medical Examiner’s Office.
Another star we’ve lost over the past year and who was given a touching tribute was Maggie Smith, who died Sept. 27, 2024, at 89.
While widely recognized for her film career, Smith made a lasting mark on TV, most recently as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, on “Downton Abbey.”
The montage also honored Loretta Swit, who passed in August at 85.
Swit became a household name on “M*A*S*H,” playing Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan across the show’s 11-season run. She won two Emmys for the role and remained closely associated with the character throughout her career.
The tributes continued with George Wendt, remembered for playing Norm Peterson on NBC’s “Cheers.”
Wendt, who died in May at 76, received six Emmy nominations during the sitcom’s run. His role as the bar’s loyal customer became a defining part of the series and one of the most recognizable characters in TV comedy.
David Lynch, Quincy Jones and Loni Anderson’s faces appeared on the screen at the Peacock Theater as well.
However, not everybody was included in this year’s “In Memoriam” segment, and those who tuned in to CBS Sunday night to watch the 77th Emmy Awards rushed to social media to express their surprise and disappointment.
Polly Holliday, who died Sept. 9 at 87, was best known for her role as waitress Florence “Flo” Castleberry on “Alice,” a performance that earned her an Emmy Award and two Golden Globes.
“Well, the Emmys can kiss my grits, because they omitted Polly Holliday from the In Memorium!” one angry fan wrote on X with Flo’s classic line. “Travesty!”
“Looks like the Emmys missed out on Polly Holliday,” commented another viewer, while a third wrote: “Forgive me, but I’d rather memorialize Polly Holliday … kiss my grits!”
Like Holliday, Hulk Hogan was also omitted from this year’s Emmy Awards “In Memoriam” segment.
Hogan passed away on July 24 in Clearwater, Fla., from a reported heart attack. He was 71.
Other viewers returned to social media to question why the pro wrestler-turned-media personality wasn’t included.
“Speaking of awards, why wasn’t Hulk Hogan recognized in the Emmys’ In Memorian list?” one Hogan fan asked on X.
“Emmys on their high horse, leave out Hulk Hogan from their In Memoriam segment,” added another, while a third commented, “If Ozzy Osbourne gets mentioned, why not Hulk Hogan?”
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