Emmys 2021: In memoriam honors Alex Trebek, Michael K. Williams, Cicely Tyson and more
![Cicely Tyson holds two Emmys.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2c7a5fa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1903x2404+0+0/resize/1200x1516!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2Ffa%2F57ddc71246709eb208d858fa326e%2Fobit-cicely-tyson-74369.jpg)
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The in memoriam segment at Sunday nightâs 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards hit harder than usual, given the number of high-profile and COVID-19-related deaths of beloved actors.
Crooner Leon Bridges sang his melancholy âRiverâ along with âLate Show With Stephen Colbertâ bandleader Jon Batiste during the segment, which opened with the late broadcaster Larry King addressing his viewers and included mentions of âSaturday Night Liveâ veteran Norm Macdonald, both of whom the show paid tribute to early on.
The video package also included âLou Grantâ star Ed Asner, âTales of the Cityâ actress Olympia Dukakis, âArrested Developmentâ star Jessica Walter, âThe Mary Tyler Moore Showâsâ Cloris Leachman, âSaved By the Bellâsâ Dustin Diamond and âJeopardy!â host Alex Trebek.
Your one-stop shop for complete Emmy coverage from the Los Angeles Times, from the standout fashions and speeches to the biggest winners of the evening.
âI want you to know that I would not be here if it werenât for each one of you. I am everlastingly grateful,â iconic actress Cicely Tyson said in the segment.
Hers was among the handful of poignant quotes the salute included before it closed with a stirring moment from âThe Wireâ alum Michael K. Williams, who was nominated but did not win for his supporting turn in HBOâs âLovecraft Country.â
âThe only way for me to say thank you is by making sure that the foundation that I am standing on is strong enough to support the next person that will stand on these two shoulders,â Williams said in the segment.
Williams lost to âThe Crownâsâ Tobias Menzies, who was not in attendance, and a wave of shock and disappointment appeared to come over the audience when the winner was announced.
Find out the winners of this yearâs Emmys right here. Weâll be updating the list live throughout the show.
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