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Eric Dane’s family was “saddened” that he was excluded from the “In Memoriam” tribute at the 2026 Oscars.
A source close to the actor’s ex-wife, Rebecca Gayheart, told TMZ that while they were down, they did understand that “it was a year of profound loss for the industry.”
An Academy insider told the outlet that there was no ill intent but instead, it was due to a lack of airtime on Sunday.
Despite not being included in the main broadcast, all of the fallen stars are posted on the “In Memoriam” page on the Academy’s website.
TMZ was told that Dane’s family took comfort in knowing he is honored there.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum passed away on Feb. 19 while battling ALS.
Dane shared Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, with Gayheart.
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Although the former couple separated in 2017 after 13 years of marriage, Gayheart, withdrew her divorce petition in March 2025 shortly before the “Euphoria” star announced his heartbreaking diagnosis.
James Van Der Beek, who lost his battle to colon cancer just weeks before Dane’s death, was also left out of the tribute.
The “Dawson’s Creek” star was married to his wife of 15 years, Kimberly, at the time of his death. The couple shared six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
“What a missed opportunity,” one person wrote of the pair being snubbed, as a second user chimed in, “It was wrong to leave them out.”
Many fans pointed out that while Van Der Beek and Dane were primarily known for their work on TV, they both appeared in several movies throughout their careers.
The actors died just a month before the coveted award show, much like Michelle Trachtenberg did last year. The “Gossip Girl” star’s snub made waves after the 2025 ceremony.
Along with Van Der Beek and Dane, actress Brigitte Bardot, “Cosby Show” alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner and “Lizzie McGuire” dad Robert Carradine were all left out of this year’s tribute segment.
Bardot died at age 91 in December, while Carradine took his own life in February after battling bipolar disorder.
Warner drowned on a family vacation in Costa Rica at age 54 in July.
On Sunday, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Diane Ladd and more A-listers — with expanded tributes to Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton and Robert Redford — were all honored.
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