Zach Braff calls out Emmys for leaving Nick Cordero out of its in memoriam tribute

Scrubs actor Zach Braff has pointed out that there were a few notable omissions from the Emmys ‘in memoriam’ segment this week.

There were some notable omissions from the Emmys ‘in memoriam’ tribute on Monday, and Scrubs star Zach Braff isn’t letting them go unnoticed.

Late Broadway star Nick Cordero, who died from coronavirus complications in July after a long battle with the illness, was one of them, but close friend Braff said it wasn’t for supporters’ lack of trying.

The 45-year-old revealed that families and friends of stars who have passed need to petition to get their loved ones featured in the segment and it was up to the Television Academy to decide who made the cut.

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Braff revealed he campaigned for Cordero’s inclusion in the segment, but the Emmys chose not to feature him. Picture: Mark J. Terrill/AP

“For those wondering: The Emmys chose to leave Nick Cordero out of the memorial montage,” Braff tweeted after the ceremony.

“I had no idea one had to campaign to get their loved one in. We did. They passed.”

For those wondering: The Emmys chose to leave Nick Cordero out of the memorial montage. I had no idea one had to campaign to get their loved one in. We did. They passed.

— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) September 21, 2020

Braff added a statement he received from Emmy staffers that read, “Those involved in the In Memoriam selection process are very aware of the sad passing of Mr Cordero due to coronavirus and we assure that his name has been given every consideration for inclusion.”

It continued: “With so many people passing in any given year, we simply cannot ensure any particular individual is included, nor do we release the name of those included prior to the telecast.”

Although Cordero was known primarily as a Broadway performer, he played the recurring role of Victor Lugo in CBS’ Blue Bloods, and appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Queer As Folk and Lillyhammer.

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Nick Cordero died age 41 from COVID-19 complications in July. Picture: Getty Images

In a follow-up tweet, Braff also pointed out his Scrubs co-star Sam Lloyd was missing from the tribute, a snub that surprised him given Lloyd’s many television roles.

“I should mention too, that they also left out Sam Lloyd,” Braff said.

“I would have never even considered ‘campaigning’ for Sam because he had more TV credits than most actors I know.”

Lloyd had recurring roles in several series’ including Cougar Town, Desperate Housewives and The Middle. He died in May aged 56 following a year-long battle with cancer.

I should mention too, that they also left out Sam Lloyd. I would have never even considered “campaigning” for Sam because he had more TV credits than most actors I know. pic.twitter.com/roIp4IVtBc

— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) September 21, 2020

Braff wasn’t the only one who noticed absences in the segment. Fans also flagged that late stars Kelly Preston and Kobe Bryant were excluded as well.

Actress Preston, who was married to John Travolta, died in July after a secret battle with breast cancer. She was 57.

Basketball legend Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash in January along with his 13-year-old daughte3r Gianna.

Kobe Bryant passed away in January. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

Kelly Preston died in July of breast cancer. Picture: Jim Spellman/WireImage

The missing Emmys tributes come after a similar situation at the Oscars last year where 90210 icon Luke Perry, Disney star Cameron Boyce and comedian Tim Conway were left out of the “in memoriam” segment.

Eagle-eyed viewers were quick to point out that the annual montage, which highlights notable deaths in the film community over the past year, did not include Perry.

Perry, star of Beverly Hills, 90210, died in early 2019 at the age of 52 after suffering a stroke.

Following a backlash from his fans, the Oscars issued a public statement via US Weekly, explaining the decision to leave him out.

“The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment,” the organisation said. “An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All the submissions are included on Oscar.com and will remain on the site throughout the year.”