Oscars producers defend In Memoriam segment amid backlash over Dharmendra, Eric Dane omissions

The 2026 Academy Awards may be over, but controversy around its In Memoriam segment continues, with backlash over the omission of several prominent names, including veteran Indian star Dharmendra.

Responding to the criticism, Rob Mills, an executive at Walt Disney Television who oversees the Oscars telecast, defended the segment, calling it one of the most difficult parts of the show to curate.

‘A very difficult task’

In an interview with Variety, Mills said the final decisions on who appears in the televised tribute are made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and acknowledged that omissions are inevitable.

“It’s probably the hardest thing they do,” he said, noting that with more legendary figures passing each year, it becomes increasingly difficult to include everyone. Despite the criticism, Mills described this year’s segment as possibly “the best In Memoriam in the history of the Oscars.”

Speaking to The Wrap, he also highlighted the complexity of planning the segment, especially when the industry loses iconic figures in a short span of time.

Backlash over omissions

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles drew criticism from viewers who were disappointed by the absence of several notable names during the televised tribute.

The segment honoured a number of late Hollywood figures, including Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, among others.

Reacting to Dharmendra’s omission, Hema Malini told Bollywood Hungama that it was “a shame” to overlook an actor of his global stature.

Later inclusion online

Following the backlash, Dharmendra’s name was later included in the Academy’s official online tribute list, which featured over 300 names from across the global film industry. Actors such as James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were also part of the extended list.

The episode has once again highlighted the challenges the Academy faces each year in balancing a limited broadcast segment with the need to honour a growing list of industry figures.