The widow of actor Tony Todd accused the Television Academy of snubbing the late star after he was omitted from Sunday night’s televised “In Memoriam” segment at the Emmy Awards.
Fatima Cortez Todd told Entertainment Weekly she was disappointed that her husband — a BAFTA Award nominee best known for his role in the Candyman horror franchise — was not mentioned during the live broadcast. "Tony had a long list of TV credits but he was not respected as much by the industry he gave his artistic life [to]," she said. "The award shows look over many who should be honored." The actor was included in an extended “In Memoriam” video posted on the Television Academy’s website, but his name did not appear in the portions aired on television.
Todd, who died of natural causes in California in November 2024 at age 69, had a decades-long career spanning film, television and voice work. In addition to Candyman, he appeared in five Final Destination films, voiced the character Zoom on the television series The Flash and provided voices for multiple characters in Star Trek video games. He also appeared in a 1995 episode of Star Trek and received a BAFTA nomination during his career.
The Emmy Awards’ televised segment was introduced by Phylicia Rashad and opened with a tribute to her former co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson performed “Go Rest High on That Mountain” as the broadcast displayed names including Nip/Tuck actor Julian McMahon and Good Times star John Amos. Several other notable figures, including wrestler and reality star Hulk Hogan, King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss and Sopranos actor Jerry Adler, likewise did not appear in the live broadcast and were listed only in the extended video on the Television Academy’s website.
In a caption accompanying the longer online video, the Television Academy explained that both the Emmy Awards and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards present “In Memoriam” videos each year and that “given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts.” The Academy said it had posted a more extensive video listing hundreds of television colleagues who died in the past year.
Todd’s omission from the televised Emmy segment follows a similar absence from the Academy Awards’ “In Memoriam” presentation in March, a point his widow raised in her remarks. Fatima Cortez Todd said her husband maintained a generous spirit throughout his career despite setbacks and missed opportunities, and she praised the support he received from fans.
The Television Academy did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the online video caption. Representatives for Todd did not respond to immediate requests for comment.
Criticism over who is included in televised memorial segments has recurred across awards shows, with organizers citing time constraints and editorial decisions as the reasons behind abbreviated broadcasts and extended online lists. The extended online “In Memoriam” available after the Emmys included additional names omitted from the live telecast, including Todd’s, and remains accessible on the Academy’s site.