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Updated 2026-03-20 12:35 UTC
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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Creator Shonda Rhimes Says Eric Dane Was Excluded From Oscars In Memoriam Because ‘He’s Not a Movie Star’: ‘We Can’t Fault the Oscars’

Eric Dane, who died in February at 53 after battling ALS, was not included in the Oscars' In Memoriam segment. The actor was best known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and starring in HBO's Euphoria. Creator Shonda Rhimes defended the Academy's decision, stating that Dane was primarily a television star rather than a movie star.

The exclusion of beloved performers from awards show memorial segments often sparks public discussion about who deserves recognition. Dane was a prominent television actor with a devoted fanbase, making his omission from the tribute particularly noticeable to viewers.
Fans say

Eric Dane deserved recognition at the Oscars regardless of his primary medium, given his cultural impact and the grief felt by his audience. Many actors work across both television and film, and the distinction feels arbitrary when honoring someone's life and career.

Rhimes says

The Oscars appropriately focus on film stars, and we cannot fault them for maintaining that distinction. Dane will receive proper recognition at the Emmys, where television achievements are celebrated, and he will be "immortalized the way he should be."

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