Fatima Cortez Todd, the widow of the late horror film star Tony Todd, expressed her frustration over his omission from the Emmy Awards’ “In Memoriam” segment on Sunday night.
She mentioned that it was disappointing not to see him recognized in the live broadcast, despite his extensive television credits.
“Tony had a significant footprint in the industry, but perhaps he wasn’t as respected as he should have been,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
Tony Todd, known for roles in “Candyman,” the “Final Destination” franchise, and various “Star Trek” characters, passed away in November 2024 at the age of 69 due to natural causes.
“This award highlights many individuals who deserve recognition,” Fatima remarked. “It should include him.”
She highlighted how her husband endeavored to stay positive throughout his challenging career, even when the industry didn’t treat him fairly at times.
Fatima added, “He was classically trained and always had great support from fans. He poured his heart into his work, even when told he should have roles that were out of reach. Yet, he maintained such a generous spirit.”
In March, Todd was also left out of the “In Memoriam” section during the Oscars.
Philicia Rashad, a former co-star from “The Cosby Show,” presented the Emmy segment honoring those lost, including Todd.
While the tribute featured heartfelt performances, notable figures like Hulk Hogan and “Sopranos” actor Jerry Adler were also excluded from the live broadcast.
The Television Academy stated on its website that there are limitations on how many names can be featured in the live segment due to time constraints. They noted that a broader video and a list of hundreds of names lost over the past year were available online.
