The omission of Chuck Norris from the 2026 Primetime Emmys’ In Memoriam segment has sparked outrage, with his co-star Judson Mills calling it a “tragic mistake.”
Mills, who appeared alongside Norris during the last two seasons of Walker, Texas Ranger, expressed his disappointment in a recent TMZ interview. The Emmys, held on September 14, featured tributes to numerous entertainment legends, yet Norris, who passed away on March 19 at the age of 86, was notably absent from the tribute. This year also saw other celebrities like Daveigh Chase, Patrick Muldoon, and Nicholas Brendon omitted.
Industry Reactions
Mills emphasized that he believed the oversight was an unintended error. “My first thought was [Norris’ wife] Gena and the family. And his fans,” he stated, conveying his concern for those affected by the omission. He further noted that Norris would have encouraged his loved ones to forgive the oversight, explaining, “He was an ‘it’s not all about me’ kind of guy.” Nonetheless, Mills lamented the lack of recognition for a figure who had such a profound influence on Hollywood and beyond.
According to Mills, the decision left many disappointed, especially given Norris’s iconic status. “For an icon of his stature who impacted not only Hollywood but the entire world, to see him not receive any recognition at all and to see the family not receive that recognition was disappointing,” he reflected. “It hurt my feelings, for sure. He was a legend, for God’s sake.”
Chuck Norris’s Legacy
Chuck Norris was renowned not only as a martial arts expert but also as a prominent actor. His career took off in the late 1960s, culminating in notable action films like Delta Force and the Missing in Action series. His role in the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001 solidified his place as a pop culture icon, leading to various spinoffs and appearances.
Norris died after a brief hospitalization, with his family honoring him as “a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother and the heart of our family.” Even months posthumously, the cause of his death remains undisclosed, leaving fans and admirers to reflect on the void his passing has left in both the entertainment industry and their lives.
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Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak