Oscars

In Memoriam Oscars 2025: These are the directors, actors and actresses who left us in 2024

The movie industry is celebrating the 97th Academy Awards, which will honor not just the best work from last year but also those members that passed away.

Calum Roche

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Mar 2nd, 2025 21:57 EST

Hollywood were gathered together at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the 97th Academy Awards. As ever, the ceremony recognizes the best performances and works, as chosen by the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with a golden ‘Oscar’ statuette.

Follow all the information on the 2025 Oscars

Much of the night is focused on the shining stars of today, who will gratefully receive their award, or gracefully accept the achievement of being nominated. But there were also a few special moments handed over to those who are unable to attend and those who left us this year.

The glittering lights of Hollywood were dimmed to remember the luminaries who left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and the 2025 Oscars will pay a heartfelt tribute to those who graced the silver screen and shaped the art of filmmaking.

These evening’s Oscars saw a special introduction to the In Memoriam section, presented by Morgan Freeman, who paid special tribute to his friend, Gene Hackman, who was found dead at his home in Santa Fe on Wednesday.

Also highlighted were David Lynch, who passed away in January, at the age of 78, and British actor Maggie Smith, known for her work on the Harry Potter films, and who won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, 55 years ago. Smith died in September, aged 89.

Everything you need to know about the 2024 Oscars

Among those honoured are not only celebrated actors and actresses but also visionary directors, talented writers, and creative minds across various branches of the industry.

Here is a list of those that will be remembered and acknowledged at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, as provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In Memorian Oscars 2024

(* signifies an Oscar win)

Jonathan Axelrod – Executives Branch

Richard E. Baker – Executives Branch

Peter Berkos – Sound Branch

1975 (48th) *Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects) – “The Hindenburg”

Mitchell W. Block – Short Films Branch

2010 (83rd) Documentary Short Subject – “Poster Girl”

Tom Bower – Actors Branch

Sandy Bresler – Artist Representatives

Edgar Burcksen – Film Editors Branch

Terry Carter – Actors Branch

Jenne Casarotto – Artist Representatives

Roger Corman – Directors Branch2009 (82nd) *Honorary Award

Mark Damon – Executives Branch

Leonard Engelman – Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch

John Fenner – Production Design Branch

April Ferry – Costume Designers Branch1994 (67th) Costume Design – “Maverick”

Richard E. Foronjy – Actors Branch

KC Fox – Production Design Branch

Mickey Gilbert – Production and Technology Branch

Trevor Griffiths – Writers Branch

1981 (54th) Writing (Screenplay written directly for the screen) – “Reds”

Mark L. Gustafson – Short Films and Feature Animation

2022 (95th) *Animated Feature Film – “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

Ted Hatfield – Marketing and Public Relations Branch

Alan Haufrect – Actors Branch

Norman Jewison – Directors Branch Board of Governors, July 1988-July 1997

1966 (39th) Best Picture – “The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming,

1967 (40th) Directing – “In the Heat of the Night”,

1971 (44th) Directing – “Fiddler on the Roof”,

1971 (44th) Best Picture – “Fiddler on the Roof”,

1984 (57th) Best Picture – “A Soldier’s Story”,

1987 (60th) Directing – “Moonstruck”

1987 (60th) Best Picture – “Moonstruck”

1998 (71st) *Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award

James Earl Jones – Actors Branch Board of Governors, June 1975-May 1977

1970 (43rd) Actor – “The Great White Hope”
2011 (84th) *Honorary Award

Jay Kanter – Executives Branch

Jon Landau – Producers Branch

1997 (70th) *Best Picture – “Titanic”

2009 (82nd) Best Picture – “Avatar”

2022 (95th) Best Picture – “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Michael I. Levy – Producers Branch

Tony Lo Bianco – Actors Branch

Tim McGovern – Visual Effects Branch

1990 (63rd) *Special Achievement Award (Visual Effects) – “Total Recall”

Sergio Mendes – Music Branch

2011 (84th) Music (Original Song) – “Real In Rio” from “Rio”

Sam Mercer – Production and Technology Branch

Bob Newhart – Actors Branch

Janis Paige – Actors Branch

Conrad E. Palmisano – Production and Technology Branch

Gena Rowlands – Actors Branch

1974 (47th) Actress – “A Woman under the Influence”

1980 (53rd) Actress in a leading role – “Gloria”

2015 (88th) *Honorary Award

Albert S. Ruddy – Producers Branch

1974 (45th) *Best Picture – “The Godfather”

2004 (77th) *Best Picture – “Million Dollar Baby”

David Seidler – Writers Branch

2010 (83rd) *Writing (Original Screenplay) – “The King’s Speech”

Julian Senior – Marketing and Public Relations Branch

Richard M. Sherman – Music Branch

1964 (37th) *Music (Music Score–substantially original) – “Mary Poppins”
1964 (37th) *Music (Song) – “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from “Mary Poppins”
1968 (41st) Music (Song–original for the picture) – “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”
1971 (44th) Music (Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score) – “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”
1971 (44th) Music (Song–original for the picture) – “The Age Of Not Believing” from “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”
1973 (46th) Music (Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score) – “Tom Sawyer”
1977 (50th) Music (Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score) – “The Slipper and the Rose”
1977 (50th) Music (Original Song) – “The Slipper And The Rose Waltz (He Danced With Me/She Danced With Me)” from “The Slipper and the Rose”
1978 (51st) Music (Original Song) – “When You’re Loved” from “The Magic of Lassie”

James B. Sikking – Actors Branch

Bud Smith – Film Editors Branch

1973 (46th) Film Editing – “The Exorcist”

1983 (56th) Film Editing – “Flashdance”

Martin Starger – Executives Branch

Donald Sutherland – Actors Branch

2017 (90th) *Honorary Award

Matthew A. Sweeney – Visual Effects Branch

1986 (59th) *Scientific or Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award)
1995 (68th) Visual Effects – “Apollo 13”
1997 (70th) *Scientific and Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award)
2001 (74th) *Scientific and Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award)

Robert Towne – Writers Branch

1973 (46th) Screenplay based on material from another medium – “The Last Detail”,

1974 (47th) *Original Screenplay – “Chinatown”

1975 (48th) Original Screenplay – “Shampoo”,

1984 (57th) Screenplay based on material from another medium – “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” (under pseudonym P.H. Vazak)

M. Emmet Walsh – Actors Branch

Carl Weathers – Actors Branch

Paula Weinstein – Producers Branch

Robert M. Young – Directors Branch

Academy Awards 2024: full list of winners

OSCARS 2024

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