Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Sponsored By IMDb, Neuro Drinks And Walmart - Arrivals WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Michelle Trach

The 97th Academy Awards were held just four days after Michelle Trachtenberg died at the age of 39, and many viewers slammed the awards show for not including the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum in the In Memoriam segment.

As in past years, the In Memoriam segment of Sunday’s Oscar telecast quickly became controversial because of the stars who were left out of the montage, notably ‘Gossip Girl’

The Oscars In Memoriam for 2025 included Gene Hackman and David Lynch, but left off others like Michelle Trachtenberg and Tony Todd.

Trachtenberg was born in New York City on October 11th, 1985, and started acting at a young age, appearing in the classic 90’s Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete and Pete, playing Nona F. Mecklenberg. She made her movie debut in 1996, starring in Harriet the Spy.

The decision about which stars are included -- or excluded -- from the tribute at the Oscars comes down to time.

While Gene Hackman and Quincy Jones received stand-alone memorial tributes during Sunday's Academy Awards telecast, but a number of notables did not appear in the show's annual "in memoriam" segment.

Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, Tony Todd, and Alain Delon were among those snubbed during the 2025 Oscars 'In Memoriam' segment.