Film & TV2 min(s) read
Reason why James Van Der Beek was not included in Oscars memoriam as more stars were notably absent
James Van Der Beek was one of a few noticeable absences in the Oscars In Memoriam tribute tonight.
While the ceremony paid tribute to recently passed stars such as director Rob Reiner, actress Jane Fonda and actor Robert Redford, there was no moment to remember Van Der Beek, the star of TV series Dawson's Creek and film Varsity Blues.
The popular actor died aged 48 in February after a much-publicised battle with cancer.
Reason why stars James van Der Beek and Eric Dane were absent from Oscars In Memoriam tribute
Fans online were quick to notice that both Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, star of Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, were not included in the remembrance montage.
However, the reason for their snub simply comes down to timing, as the Oscars ceremony is kept to a strict schedule and cannot overrun.
Previously, the Academy had announced that, due to the raft of stars and industry members that had died over the last 12 months, they had extended the time for this year's In Memoriam.
But even with the extended time frame, there was not enough room to fit everyone in.
However, both Van Der Beek and Dane - who also died in February after a 10-month battle with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease - were both honoured at the recent Actor Awards (previously known as the SAG Awards).
Which stars were included in the Oscars In Memoriam tribute?
There were a few high-profile tributes during this year's In Memoriam.
Notably, actor and comedian Billy Crystal took to the stage to remember director, writer and actor Rob Reiner.
Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were found dead from stab wounds in December.
The couple's son, Nick, was arrested for the murder but has recently pleaded not guilty.
The preliminary hearing for the case will begin in April.
Crystal memorably starred in Reiner's classic romantic-comedy When Harry Met Sally.
He was joined on-stage by his co-star in that film, Meg Ryan, and a host of other actors from Reiner's past films like Demi Moore (A Few Good Men) and Kathy Bates (Misery).
Rachel McAdams also paid tribute to Diane Keaton (having memorably played Keaton's daughter in The Family Stone) and Barbra Streisand made a rare public appearance to honor past co-star Robert Redford, even breaking out into song with a rendition of The Way We Were, the title track of the 1973 romantic-drama she and Redford had headlined together.