SAG Awards 2019 In Memoriam: Penny Marshall, Burt Reynolds, more
During tonight’s SAG Awards 2019 broadcast, NCIS: New Orleans star Scott Bakula took the stage in order to present the annual In Memoriam segment. This is a chance to honor some of the most notable performers who we’ve lost over the past year. It’s a moment for reflection, and every single time, there are some names that mean something to you as a viewers. Even if you don’t know a performer, you see enough of their work to feel like you do. You make an emotional connection to them.
The following names are among the people who were honored tonight: Charlotte Rae, John Mahoney, Olivia Cole, R. Lee Ermey, Reg E. Cathey, Philip Bosco, Bill Daily, David Ogden Stiers, Chuck McCann, Donald Moffat, Jerry Maren, Ricky Jay, Aretha Franklin, Ken Berry, Barbara Harris, John Gavin, Nanette Fabray, Soon-Tek Oh, Tab Hunter, Scott Wilson, Kitty O’Neill, Verne Troyer, Mickey Joney, Bob Einstein, Sandra Locke, Harry Anderson, Margot Kidder, Carol Channing, Burt Reynolds, and Penny Marshall. Marshall lingered slightly at the end, and she drew the largest cheer of the night.
Were there omissions? Absolutely, and there always are. This is the sort of thing that just has a tendency to happen on this sort of show and that shouldn’t be a surprise at this point. There is only so much time, and sometimes there are names left out here that are recognized at other shows. It is very focused on people who are mostly well-known for acting — the one notable exception this time is Franklin, but her talent is such that it really knows no bounds and she did enough performing in this space to be eligible.
As a whole, the SAG Awards is meant to be a fairly lighthearted affair, with most of the content generated around some of the best performers of the year and finding unique ways to honor talented artists. There are fun speeches and at times, calls for action. This is really one of the only times during the show where you have a chance to look back, and we absolutely do think that it is very much important for that reason. You cannot forget the legends who you have lost. They make the industry what it is.
What do you think about the SAG Awards In Memoriam segment? Share in the comments.