Emmys 2024 ‘In Memoriam’ leaves out Johnny Wactor, Shelley Duvall, Chita Rivera
The 76th Emmy Awards have officially wrapped, and, as is tradition, the squabbling over the TV stars left out of the “In Memoriam” tribute has begun.
The Emmys 2024 was technically the second one this year. The Emmys 2023 didn’t broadcast until January 2024 due to the writers and actors strikes. That meant the eligibility pool for the Emmys 2024 In Memoriam included anyone “notable” in TV land who passed away in the last nine months, including Shannen Doherty, James Earl Jones, Richard Simmons, Richard Lewis, Chance Perdomo, Carl Weathers, Gena Rowlands and Donald Sutherland.
However, there were some glaring omissions: “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor, who was fatally shot in May at age 37; “The Shining” actress Shelley Duvall, who died at 75 in July of complications from diabetes and Broadway legend Chita Rivera, who died at age 91 in January.
Their exclusion from the tribute, upset many on social media.
“Well the @TelevisionAcad snubbed Shelley Duvall from their In Memoriam section. Perhaps she wasn’t known as a TV actress but she was a prolific producer for children programs and a pioneer in cable TV. Her contributions deserved to be honored,” one outraged fan said on X, formerly Twitter.
Another fan slammed Duvall’s exclusion as “incredibly disrespectful and odd.”
Another critic wrote, “I fell asleep during the Emmys last night but what’s this I hear about Chita Rivera and Shelley Duvall not being in the In Memoriam I will be writing a sharply-worded letter.”
Also not included: Matthew Perry. The “Friends” actor was included in January’s “In Memoriam” segment and, thus, was not mentioned at tonight’s ceremony. Nevertheless, fans were angry.
“Did I miss it or did the Emmy’s not show Matthew Perry????” one fan wrote, while another said, “How in the world did the Emmy’s not include Matthew Perry?!?!”
Another fan sarcastically commented, “I can’t wait for all the angry tweets about how they forgot Matthew Perry, who was honored in the In Memorium in the last #Emmys ceremony, back in January.”
“I believe that music is therapeutic. I believe that music is cathartic.”
“If you are feeling lost or alone tonight i want you to know it’s ok to not always be ok.”
There were plenty of other individuals that social media dissenters believed got snubbed.
Treat Williams, who died in June 2023 at age 71 in a motorcycle crash, was also among the other names bandied about the most — but, similar to Perry, Williams was honored at the previous Emmys in January.
“Did they really leave Treat Williams out from In Memoriam? He was literally nominated tonight!” one outraged fan said, referring to how Williams earned a posthumous nod for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie” for his role in “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.”
Jelly Roll took a break from touring to perform the song “I Am Not Okay” for the “In Memoriam” — a decision that the TV Academy thought out well.
“He is literally stepping off tour for a day and going right back on the road when he’s done,” executive producer Dionne Harmon told Variety in a pre-show interview. “So, we’re so grateful to him. Jesse did a lot of begging to get that!”
Music director Rickey Minor shared: “I think that his decision of what particular song to do will touch everyone. I cry every time I hear it. Everyone at home, make sure you have tons of tissue around.”
However, the late actors mentioned in the tribute made up a long list of memorable and beloved television talent.
The Emmys 2023 got flak in January for leaving out Ryan O’Neal, Raquel Welch, Jerry Springer, Ray Stevenson (“Black Sails”), Lisa Loring (the original Wednesday Addams actress), “The Wire” star Al Brown and Julian Sands.
