Eagle-eyed viewers watching the “In Memoriam” segment at the 97th annual Academy Awards expressed their disappointment that actor Michelle Trachtenberg was not included.
The annual montage shows actors and prominent Hollywood figures who have died in the past year. This year’s segment showed actors like James Earl Jones and Donald Sutherland, but did not include Trachtenberg.
However, Trachtenberg was included in the โIn Memoriamโ section of the Academy Awards website featuring the prominent artists and filmmakers who died in 2024-25. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesย directs viewers to the site because not everyone can be included on the broadcast for time reasons.
Still, viewers took to social media to point out the omission.
“#Oscars2025 really? Nothing for Tony Todd or Michelle Trachtenberg?” one person wrote on X.
“Michelle trachtenberg not being mentioned in the in memoriam section of the oscars is upsetting , you are and will remain so so loved and admired michelle” another person posted.
“Itโs shameful that the #Oscars didnโt include Michelle Trachtenberg in their memorial montage of all the actors/actresses who have passed within the year!!!!”
Today.com has reached out to the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for comment.
The former “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star was found unconscious and unresponsive on Feb. 26 in a New York City apartment. Her cause of death at 39 was ruled “undetermined” by the New York City Chief Medical Examinerโs Office.
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, who was found dead at 95 at his New Mexico home on Feb. 26, did receive a special tribute from acting legend Morgan Freeman during the broadcast.
“Why didnโt they include Michelle Trachtenberg in the In Memoriam? It wouldnโt be due to time constraints because they added Gene Hackman who died one day after her. #Oscars RIP Michelle!” one viewer posted on X.
“And no Michelle Trachtenberg in the In Memoriam? They had just as much time to add her as they did Hackman (I get the difference in their careers, but still),” another viewer wrote.
The 2025 Oscars are broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The official red carpet show will start at 6:30 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Theย 2025 Oscars are available to watchย on ABC and stream live on Hulu. Among theย most-nominated filmsย are โEmilia Pรฉrezโ with 13 nominations and โWickedโ with 10.
The list of performers includes Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Queen Latifah, Raye and Doja Cat, among others. The ceremony will also feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Followย TODAY.comโs live blogย for complete Oscars coverage, includingย this yearโs winnersย and unexpected moments.
