James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane did not receive special recognition during the In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Oscars following their deaths.
Neither Van Der Beek and Dane were included in the Sunday, March 15, award show’s tribute to those who have died in the past year, though are listed on the official Oscars website with others left out.
Van Der Beek and Dane both died just weeks before the Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Van Der Beek died on February 11 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48.
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“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, wrote via Instagram at the time. “He met his final days with courage, faith and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
James is survived by Kimberly, 43 — whom he married in August 2010 — and the couple’s six children, Olivia, 15, Joshua, 14, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.
One week after James’ death, Dane died on February 19 following a battle with ALS. He was 53.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement to Us Weekly at the time. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
The statement continued: “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Dane is survived by Rebecca Gayheart — who withdrew her 2018 divorce petition in 2025 after Dane’s ALS diagnosis — and their daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14.
In the aftermath of James and Dane’s deaths, their widows remembered their late husbands’ friendship.
“RIP @realericdane. We love you @rebeccagayheartdane,” Kimberly wrote via her Instagram Story on February 21 alongside a throwback photo of the two couples at a 2017 event. “Will miss our guys laughing at Christmas parties together.”
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Gayheart, 54, later reposted Kimberly’s message with the caption, “So much love for you.”
Throughout their careers, James and Dane were mostly known for their television roles. James notably starred on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003, while Dane appeared on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006 to 2021 and on Euphoria beginning in 2019.
Despite their popularity among TV audiences, both actors had a list of memorable film credits, including 1999’s Varsity Blues and 2013’s Labor Day for James and 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand and 2010’s Valentine’s Day for Dane.
