Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ left out these actors, including one who just died

This year’s Oscars “In Memoriam” segment included many prodigious talents.

But as in years past, a few seemed to be missing.

Oscar winner Morgan Freeman introduced the memorial reel with some remarks about his friend Gene Hackman, his co-star in the movies “Unforgiven” (1992) and “Under Suspicion” (2000).

Hackman and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home outside Santa Fe, New Mexico Feb. 26.

Hackman, 95, a two-time Oscar winner for his performances in “Unforgiven” and “The French Connection” (1972), was also included in the memorial video at the 97th Academy Awards.

So were film heroes like director David Lynch and actors James Earl Jones, Teri Garr and John Amos (Garr and Amos spent formative years in New Jersey).

However, an actor whose death was reported Feb. 26 was left out of the televised “In Memoriam” segment at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Michelle Trachtenberg, who was 39 when she died this past week, did not appear in the memorial reel. She was missing from the tribute even though she is well known for her work in movies as well as TV.

Trachtenberg made her film debut as the lead and title character of the 1996 movie “Harriet the Spy,” a treasured film for many ’90s kids.

The actor, who first became known as a regular in the Nickelodeon series “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” which filmed in New Jersey, also appeared Disney’s 1999 live-action “Inspector Gadget” movie.

Trachtenberg, a regular in the popular show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” went on to star in the Disney ice-skating movie “Ice Princess” (2005) as well as the teen comedy “EuroTrip” (2004).

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Trachtenberg, who was also known for her character in the series ”Gossip Girl“ (which she reprised for the 2021 revival) had starred in a 2006 remake of the pioneering slasher film “Black Christmas.“

As it happens, the star of the original “Black Christmas” (1974), Olivia Hussey, was missing from the Oscar memorial, too.

Hussey, who was 73 when she died in December, became a global star as a teen for her lead role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” (1968).

Observant viewers noticed that Tony Todd, the actor who played the title role in the horror movie “Candyman” (1992), was another talent missing from the “In Memoriam.”

Todd was 69 when he died in November. He is also known for his roles in the “Final Destination” horror movie franchise.

Todd, who reprised his role as Candyman/Daniel Robitaille in the 2021 “Candyman” sequel, had appeared in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning film “Platoon" (1986) earlier in his career.

His other movie credits include the 1990 remake of “Night of the Living Dead,” as well as “The Crow” (1994), “Lean on Me” (1989) and the Oscar-nominated film “The Rock” (1996).

Another actor who died in 2024 was not included in the memorial segment.

Shannen Doherty, who was 53 when she died of cancer in July, may be associated with the TV series “Beverly Hills, 90210″ and “Charmed,” but she also appeared in well-known movies.

Doherty starred in Kevin Smith’s Jersey-set movie “Mallrats” (1995).

Before that, she was in the ‘80s classic “Heathers” (1988).

Doherty, Todd, Hussey and Trachtenberg weren’t the only actors left off the memorial segment.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Mitzi Gaynor, the “South Pacific” and “My Blue Heaven” actor who was 93 and a veteran of Hollywood’s Golden Age when she died in November, was also not included.

And French film superstar Alain Delon (“Purple Noon,” “The Leopard”), who was 88 when he died in August, was not a part of the tribute.

Neither was Mexican actor Silvia Pinal (“Viridiana”), who was also 93 when she died in November.

Many actors who died in 2024 or this year and weren’t included in the televised memorial during the Oscars are included in the Academy’s online tribute.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.