James Ransone’s Widow Says She’s ‘Incredibly Disappointed’ the Late Actor Was Absent from In Memoriam at 2026 Emmys

**Disappointment Expressed Over Actor James Ransone’s Absence from Emmys Tribute**

The absence of late actor James Ransone from the In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Emmy Awards has sparked disappointment from his widow, Jamie “Skipper” McPhee. Ransone, best known for his roles in *The Wire* and *It: Chapter Two*, tragically passed away by suicide on December 19, 2025, at the age of 46. His omission from the memorial tribute during the awards ceremony on September 15 has drawn attention and stirred emotions among his fans and colleagues.

Taking to Instagram shortly after the Emmys, McPhee expressed her dissatisfaction regarding her husband’s exclusion from the televised remembrance. Describing Ransone affectionately as “PJ,” she poignantly noted the lack of recognition, stating, “My husband @jamesransone was not acknowledged in memoriam at tonight’s Emmys. He was also not at the Oscars earlier this year. PJ was impossible, lovable, intolerable and incredible — depends on who you ask. But without question — he was a great actor.”

In her follow-up posts, McPhee reflected on how Ransone may have viewed the situation differently, suggesting he would have found humour in the oversight. She remarked, “But good news is PJ wouldn’t care. He’d actually think it’s funny.” Nonetheless, McPhee could not hide her disappointment, asserting that his absence from such tributes felt unjust.

On the day following the Emmys, she amplified her feelings by sharing a clip from Noah Kahan’s rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Alongside the video, McPhee wrote, “I didn’t watch the Emmys so I only now understand how much of a snub this truly was. I am incredibly disappointed… @Jamesransone was an incredibly gifted actor, and it simply is not right to not acknowledge him and his work.”

In response to the criticism surrounding the In Memoriam segment, a representative from the Television Academy offered an explanation, stating the challenges of honouring every individual who has passed away within a limited time frame during the broadcast. “Given only a few minutes to honour those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts,” the spokesperson noted. They further clarified that a more extensive video featuring a larger list of those who have died over the past year is available on the Academy’s website, where Ransone’s name is mentioned.

Ransone was not the only name missing from the Emmys tribute, as several other notable figures were also overlooked, including Chuck Norris and Nicholas Brendon from *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*. Stars such as Robert Redford and Patrick Muldoon were similarly absent from the on-screen commemorations.

Despite the omissions, the Emmy Awards did highlight various other prominent figures, such as Dolly Parton, Catherine O’Hara, and Rob Reiner, who received individual acknowledgements. A montage featured additional names like Hayden Panettiere and Anthony Head, aiming to pay homage to a wide array of influential talents.

Earlier in the year, Ransone’s absence was also noted during the Oscars’ memorial segment. Director Scott Derrickson, who collaborated with Ransone on multiple projects, took to social media to express his sorrow at the omission. He wrote, “The Oscars In Memoriam ignored him but I cannot. He was my friend. I put him in five films… He was a complex, funny, talented, and undeniably reckless person. He was wildly alive and deeply loved.”

In honour of what would have been Ransone’s 47th birthday on June 2, McPhee reflected on their shared memories, posting a heartfelt tribute alongside a throwback picture of the couple. “Happy Birthday PJ. A pic from his 40th that Andy sent me last week… You have no idea how much we all miss you,” she captioned the post, capturing the essence of her love and the enduring void left by his departure.

The community of fans, friends, and fellow actors is coming to terms with the loss of Ransone, whose impact on the industry and those around him remains significant. As the debate around the acknowledgment of late artists continues, McPhee’s heartfelt pleas remind the public of the profound personal stories behind the names and faces recognised during these ceremonies.