Kelly Preston, Nick Cordero, Kobe Bryant Didn't Receive Mention At Emmys' Memoriam
This year's Emmy Awards honored several TV titans with their power-packed, yet touching "In Memoriam" segment, but it did not please some fans. Some of those fans took to Twitter during the show to express their disappointment, anger, and confusion because some of the biggest names were not included in the memorial.
While the tribute was nothing short of an awe-inspiring celebration of life, some of the stars who passed away over the last few years where excluded. Fans were particularly upset about the exclusion of Kelly Preston, Kobe Bryant, and Nick Cordero. Although Bryant, who died in a tragic helicopter crash on Jan. 26, with her daughter Giana, 13, and seven other passengers, wasn't an actor, he was popular on television during his career.
Several fans believed his legacy deserved to be honored, whether or not he was involved in TV production. The real cause of anger stems from The Los Angeles Staples Center, the place where the virtual ceremony took place, also touted as the house that Kobe built, making his exclusion from the "In Memoriam" even more shocking.
As for Cordero, his death from COVID-19 complications from July 15 came after a month-long battle and had a huge impact on the entertainment industry. Cordero garnered popularity via his role on Broadway, and several other roles in multiple TV shows such as Law & Order: SVU, and a recurring role on Blue Bloods. Fans quickly pointed this out as they lamented his absence from the tribute.
Even Preston's exclusion received equal disappointment. The actress succumbed to cancer on July 12 was best known for her film roles, and her romance with husband John Travolta. Despite roles in several TV shows and a considerable number of made-for-TV movies, fans found it shocking that she didn't get a mention in the lengthy segment.
Aside from them, there was a myriad of other celebs that fans thought should've been mentioned in the "In Memoriam" segment. Horror icon Sid Haig, Mythbuster star Grant Imahara, and Monty Python co-creator Terry Jones were also left out. Emmy nominee and two time Oscar winner Olivia de Havilland were left out as well.
The Emmys admitted that not every celebrity who passed away in 2020 would be featured in their tribute due to the constraint. In an attempt to honor and respect all those who have passed away, the Emmys maintain an exclusive "In Memoriam" tribute on their official website.