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Emmys In Memoriam Excludes Chuck Norris, ‘Buffy’ Actor Nicholas Brendon and More
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In Short: Welsh actor Matthew Rhys became the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Matthew Rhys made history at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night. He received the award for best lead actor in a limited series for The Beast In Me and for best lead actor in a comedy for Widow's Bay.
The Primetime Emmys' 'In Memoriam' segment hit harder than usual, with heartfelt tributes to Catherine O'Hara, Rob Reiner, and Dolly Parton, who passed away last month at the age of 80.
While the segment honored many, some social media users expressed disappointment that actors like Chuck Norris and Nicholas Brendon, known for their roles in Walker, Texas Ranger and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, were not included.
Noah Kahan performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment, reflecting on the loss of Bob Mackie, who died just hours before the ceremony.
What's still developing
- 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.
- “He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all.” Noah Kahan performed during In Memoriam #Emmys pic.twitter.com/M1x1Vh1P23 Earlier in the Emmys broadcast, there was a stand-alone tribute to Dolly Parton, who died last month of cancer at age 80.
- “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.
- It was a heady roster including director James Burrows, actors Louise Lasser, Vincent Pastore and Anthony Geary – and one person, fashion designer Bob Mackie, who died mere hours before air time.
- RELATED: Reba McEntire & Sally Field Honor Dolly Parton At Emmys: “If There Are Truly Angels On Earth, We Have Just Lost One” 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.
- The speech reflected her own lineage as the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
- Doubly so on Emmy Monday, as the Welsh actor took home his first-ever Emmy in a Comedy category on Monday night, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of the small-town’s striving leader.
- He’s been nominated for eight Emmys total (including his 2017 nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his turn in “Girls,” his first comedy nod).
Sources
- SSBCracklink