The glitz, the gowns, the forced banter from celebrities who clearly just met five minutes ago—yes, it’s Hollywood’s biggest night. And while the Best Picture winner is all but certain (congratulations in advance to Anora), and the host will likely be playing it safe to avoid another “slap incident,” the real drama, the real stakes, the real moment of the Oscars 2025? It’s happening during the In Memoriam montage.
Don’t roll your eyes just yet. This sepia-toned tribute to Hollywood’s dearly departed is not just a slideshow of famous faces set to overly sentimental orchestral music. No, no. It’s a power play. A political battlefield disguised as a tribute. Who gets in? Who gets snubbed? Who gets that coveted final spot, the so-called anchor position? This isn’t just about honoring the dead—it’s about legacy, about Hollywood deciding whose name is worth remembering when the applause fades.
The Art of a Perfect In Memoriam Segment
As we’ve pointed out in years past, this annual tribute isn’t just a highlight reel of actors, directors, and film legends who passed away in the last year. No, it’s a carefully curated, expertly structured emotional rollercoaster. It needs:
- A strong opening to get the audience clapping (because nothing is more awkward than a silent room of movie stars when a name appears).
- A balanced middle section—big names mixed with industry insiders that most people watching at home won’t recognize.
- And, most importantly, the final slot—the emotional crescendo, the moment where everyone gets teary-eyed, the tribute that cements one individual as the most significant loss of the year.
We at Diplotic like to call this last position the “anchor” slot—the Hollywood equivalent of dropping the mic.
So, who will take that honor in 2025? Let’s make some educated guesses.
The Possible Contenders
Shannen Doherty (1971–2024)
Odds: 1000:1
Beloved by Gen X for Beverly Hills, 90210, Doherty was a force in teen drama history. But here’s the harsh truth: the Oscars have a strict unspoken rule—the In Memoriam is for movie people. And while Heathers remains a cult classic, the Academy might not see her as a cinematic heavyweight.
Prediction: A possible inclusion, but don’t be surprised if they forget her entirely.
O.J. Simpson (1947–2024)
Odds: N/A
Listen, if you want to argue about his impact on pop culture (The Naked Gun trilogy, The Towering Inferno), fine. But let’s not pretend the Academy wants to touch that debate with a ten-foot pole.
Prediction: Snubbed. No chance. Move along.
Tony Todd (1954–2024)
Odds: 150:1
The Candyman himself. One of the greatest horror actors of all time. And what does the Academy love to do with horror actors? Ignore them. If they can snub Vincent Price, they can snub Tony Todd.
Prediction: Unfairly left out, as horror stars often are.
Mitzi Gaynor (1934–2024)
Odds: 400:1
A true legend of the golden era of Hollywood musicals. If this were 1959, she’d be the anchor for sure. But it’s 2025, and the Academy cares about box office numbers more than Broadway-trained talent.
Prediction: Included, but mid-montage placement.
Morgan Spurlock (1970–2024)
Odds: 125:1
Yes, Super Size Me changed the way we looked at fast food (and also made us feel terrible about eating McDonald’s). But he was a documentary filmmaker, and documentary filmmakers rarely get the anchor spot.
Prediction: Included, but probably near the beginning when people are still settling into their seats.
Teri Garr (1944–2024)
Odds: 100:1
A true comedic talent (Young Frankenstein, Tootsie), but comedies—like horror films—rarely get the respect they deserve at the Academy.
Prediction: In the montage, but placed too soon for proper applause.
Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024)
Odds: 75:1
Singer, songwriter, and actor. The guy had range (A Star Is Born, Blade). But range doesn’t always get you the top billing in an In Memoriam montage.
Prediction: High chance of inclusion, but not the moment.
The Real Heavyweights—Who’s Fighting for the Anchor Slot?
Now we get to the real contenders. The legends. The ones with serious Hollywood weight.
Gene Hackman (1930–2024)
Odds: 5:1
A two-time Oscar winner. Star of The French Connection, Unforgiven, and Superman (yes, he was our Lex Luthor before every other actor tried to play the role). If he had passed away, he’d be the frontrunner. But, uh, he’s still alive. (At the time of writing.)
James Earl Jones (1931–2024)
Odds: 3:1
If you’ve ever seen a movie, you know that voice. Darth Vader. Mufasa. The man defined cinematic authority. If he passed away this year, the anchor slot would be his. No contest.
Prediction: The Academy knows he’s a giant. If he’s in the montage, he’ll be last.
The Final Call—Who Gets the Spotlight?
Our Prediction: James Earl Jones or Gene Hackman (if they pass away). If neither of them does, then the spot is wide open—potentially for someone we don’t even see coming.
Honorable Mentions for Possible Snubs
- David Lynch (1946–2025?) – Hollywood loves his films but still thinks he’s “too weird” for prime placement.
- Donald Sutherland (1935–2024) – A true legend, but will the Academy care enough?
What’s at Stake?
The In Memoriam montage is more than a tribute—it’s a statement. Who we honor says a lot about what Hollywood values. Are they finally ready to respect horror actors? Do they still ignore comedians? Will they ever acknowledge people who changed film outside of the big studio system?
We’ll be watching. And judging.
Stay tuned—we’ll update this piece after the Oscars to see just how well (or terribly) the Academy handled this year’s In Memoriam.
And if DraftKings wants to start taking bets on next year’s montage, you know where to find me.
