The In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Oscars on Sunday night paid moving tribute to the late Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, among many Hollywood legends lost this year.
Oscars producers had signaled prior to Sunday’s telecast that the In Memoriam segment would be extended this year. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, producer Katy Mullan said, “It’s been an unimaginably hard year where we’ve lost a lot of icons and titans of the film industry. So yes, we are going to expand the In Memoriam because it feels so important that we do a tribute that is worthy of the people that we’ve lost this year.”
Despite the extended nature of the segment this year, there were some notable omissions, however, which were quickly pointed out on social media. French screen icon Brigitte Bardot did not make the telecast, although she did make the long list on the Academy’s website. Also missing were Malcolm-Jamal Warner, James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, but all three are more closely associated with television.
Harold and Maude star Bud Cort, Manhunter‘s Tom Noonan and Fantastic Four‘s Julian McMahon also failed to make the telecast, but again all made the long list on the website.
The lost icons that featured in the segment included an almost who’s-who of Hollywood from the 20th century, including Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton.
Beloved actor turned director ROb Reiner, and producer Michele Reiner behind This Is Spinal Tap, Misery and Stand By Me and his wife, who both died in December in murders that shocked the world, were given a touching sendoff by their close friend and When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal, who introduced a selection of Reiner’s best works. “My friends, Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier and far more human,” Crystal said.
Crystal also paid tribute to Michele: “A gifted photographer, she not only produced films with Rob, but it was her energy that had them working tirelessly to fight social injustice in the country that they both loved. … Rob and Michele Reiner became the driving force in the landmark decision for marriage equality across the United States. And their loss is immeasurable.”
Later, several of the actors from Reiner’s films took to the stage, including Crystal’s When Harry Met Sally… co-star Meg Ryan, along with Michael McKean and Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap); Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak and Demi Moore (A Few Good Men); Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Kane and Fred Savage (The Princess Bride); Kathy Bates (Misery); Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me); Annette Bening (An American President); and John Cusack (The Sure Thing).
In another lovely touch, although heart-wrenching for fans, the In Memoriam segment was set to music from Reiner’s classic film The Princess Bride.
There were further special tributes, with Rachel McAdams paying homage to Diane Keaton and her fellow Canadian Catherine O’Hara. Barbara Streisand also appeared to eulogize Robert Redford, and also sing a rendition of “The Way We Were” from the film of the same name she co-starred in with Redford.
The 98th edition of theawards, hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second year in a row, is airing live on ABC and Hulu from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Here is a complete list of this year’s winners. See thestar-studded Oscars red carpet 2026 arrivals.