The Oscars Slammed For 'Disrespectful' And 'Huge Oversight' Of Skipping Michelle Trachtenberg In Memoriam

The Oscars are under fire for what many are calling a snub of Michelle Trachtenberg in the In Memoriam segment.

Despite passing away just days before the ceremony, the actress was left out of the tribute, sparking outrage over what critics see as a glaring oversight by the Academy.

The star's death on February 26 remains a mystery, as her family declined an autopsy. Michelle Trachtenberg's passing came a year after public concerns about her well-being, making the Oscars' exclusion even more glaring.

While the Academy honored members of the film industry who passed away over the past year, fans were quick to point out that the late 39-year-old was not included, despite her long-standing presence in Hollywood. 

The omission did not go unnoticed, with social media erupting in frustration. "Oh f-ck yall for not including Michelle Trachtenberg. So disrespectful #Oscars," one X user fumed, sharing a GIF of the late star in her younger years.

Another called it a "huge oversight," while someone else noted, "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." 

A fourth expressed outright frustration, "It's shameful that the #Oscars didn't include Michelle Trachtenberg in their memorial montage of all the actors/actresses who have passed within the year!!!!"

"Michelle Trachtenberg deserved her flowers!!! #Oscars that's so sad," another fan noted. The outrage did not stop there, as fans pointed out that Trachtenberg was not the only omission. A sixth commenter wrote:

"NO Michelle Trachtenberg??? NO Shannen Doherty ??? NO Tony Todd???? I'm SICK #Oscars2025."

Although this year's tribute honored late Hollywood legends, many names apart from Trachtenberg were noticeably absent.

Among those omitted were "Candyman" star Tony Todd, "Gen V" actor Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Tony Roberts, Linda Lavin, James Darren, Mitzi Gaynor, Martin Mull, Shannen Doherty, and Olivia Hussey. Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock was also missing from the tribute.

One omission that stood out was Trachtenberg, who passed away just days before the ceremony. Her absence was particularly striking given that Gene Hackman, who was found dead the same day, received a special tribute from Morgan Freeman.

Variety reports that this controversy is nothing new. Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences faces backlash over names left out of the tribute.

Due to time constraints, the televised segment cannot include every industry member who has passed, often leading to outcry when certain figures are excluded.

The Academy traditionally posts a more extensive tribute list on its official website, but that has not stopped the backlash over this year's snubs.

The 2025 Oscars took a moment to reflect on Hollywood's losses with a moving In Memoriam segment. Recognized in the heartfelt montage were acclaimed director David Lynch, actress Maggie Smith, "Star Wars" icon James Earl Jones, and "The Hunger Games" star Donald Sutherland. 

The tribute also honored screen legends Gena Rowlands, Teri Garr, Shelley Duvall, Bob Newhart, and John Amos, as well as filmmaker Roger Corman and screenwriter Robert Towne.

Later in the evening, Quincy Jones received a special tribute in recognition of his profound impact on the entertainment industry.

Set to a stirring orchestral performance of Mozart's "Requiem in D Minor" ("Lacrimosa"), the segment served as a touching farewell to some of Hollywood's brightest stars.

Trachtenberg's sudden passing left many unanswered questions, and it looks like it is staying that way, as her official cause of death remains undetermined.

The Blast reported that the late actress' family objected to an autopsy, which halted any further investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. A representative from the New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that:

"Under the public health law, families may object to an autopsy based on religious belief, and provided there is no suspicion of criminality or compelling public health reason to proceed with the autopsy, the medical examiner honors the objection."

With the family's decision, it appears there will be no further medical examinations to determine what led to Trachtenberg's passing. 

Trachtenberg's tragic passing took a heartbreaking turn, as details reveal it was her mother who discovered her lifeless body. The late actress was found in her New York City apartment at One Columbus Place in Columbus Circle around 8 a.m. on February 26. 

Reports indicate that Trachtenberg had gone into cardiac arrest before her mother made the devastating discovery.

The New York Police Department confirmed that officers and paramedics arrived to find Trachtenberg "unconscious and unresponsive." She was pronounced dead at the scene at just 39 years old.

While her passing shocked many, sources claim the actress had been privately struggling with health issues. Authorities have stated there is no suspicion of foul play in her death.