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Emmys In Memoriam Excludes Chuck Norris, ‘Buffy’ Actor Nicholas Brendon and More
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In Short: Matthew Rhys made history at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night.
Matthew Rhys made history at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night. The Welsh actor took home his first-ever Emmy in a Comedy category for his portrayal of the small-town’s striving leader in 'Widow's Bay,' and then won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for 'The Beast in Me.
Rhys's win was particularly significant, as it marked a milestone in the Emmys' 75-year history. According to Deadline, a small number of actors, including Alan Alda, Sally Field, John Goodman, Elisabeth Moss, and Ted Danson, have previously been nominated for two lead acting prizes in the same year, but Rhys is the first to score a double win.
The Primetime Emmys' 'In Memoriam' segment hit harder than usual at Monday night’s ceremony, bookending its 10 minutes of airtime with heartfelt tributes to Catherine O’Hara and Rob Reiner. The segment also honored Dolly Parton, who died last month of cancer at age 80, with a special tribute from Reba McEntire and Sally Field. 'If there are truly angels on earth, we have just lost one,' they said.
However, the segment was not without controversy. Walker, Texas Ranger's Chuck Norris and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Nicholas Brendon, among others, were not included in the broadcast, sparking social media carping. 'Every year, there is chatter online about who is omitted from the segment, which is always subject to difficult judgment calls about people’s contributions to television compared with what they may have done in other cultural arenas,' noted Deadline.
Despite the controversy, the Emmys continued to honor the industry's luminaries. Noah Kahan performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment, and the show featured a stand-alone tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away last month. The segment also honored a diverse roster of individuals, including director James Burrows, actors Louise Lasser, Vincent Pastore, and Anthony Geary, and fashion designer Bob Mackie, who died mere hours before airtime.
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- “Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his beautiful work on The Bear,” Curtis said, her voice thick with emotion.
- The speech reflected her own lineage as the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
- Home » Entertainment » Emmy Awards Tribute Sparks Outrage Over Omitted Names in In Memoriam Segment Actors, executives, and creatives from across the television industry gathered on Monday night for the Emmy Awards, an event celebrating the best programs of the year.
Sources
- SSBCracklink