Fans Slam Emmys for Snubbing Tony Todd From “In Memoriam” Tribute
Written by b87fm on 09/16/2025
The 2025 Emmy Awards sparked outrage Sunday night after fans noticed a glaring omission from the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment: the late actor Tony Todd.
During the tribute, country stars Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” as images of fallen TV legends appeared on screen. But Todd—who passed away in November 2024 after a battle with cancer—was nowhere to be found.
For many, the absence felt like a gut punch. Todd wasn’t just a horror icon remembered for his chilling role in Candyman—he was also a classically trained actor who built a sprawling TV résumé. From Star Trek: The Next Generation and 24 to The X-Files, The Flash, Criminal Minds, and The Young and the Restless, Todd left his mark across decades of television. His last performance, filmed while he was still fighting cancer, came in Final Destination: Bloodlines.
His widow, Fatima Cortez Todd, didn’t hold back in a statement to Entertainment Weekly:
“Tony had a long list of TV credits, but he was not respected as much by the industry he gave his artistic life. He was classically trained and always given great support by his fans. Ultimately, he gave his all because he loved his work. Many times he was told that he should have had a role he didn’t get. He still maintained his generosity of spirit. The award shows look over many who should be honored. That’s on them.”
The Emmys’ oversight didn’t stop with Todd. Fans also pointed out the absence of actress Danielle Spencer, beloved for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!. Spencer died just last month.
The TV Academy has since quietly added Todd’s name to its online memorial page, but for many, the damage is done. To Todd’s fans, colleagues, and family, the omission wasn’t just a mistake—it was another example of an industry that too often overlooks the very talent that shaped it.
