What did Shonda Rhimes say about Dane?

Shonda Rhimes’ quote on Eric Dane

Shonda Rhimes publicly defended Eric Dane after he was left out of the Oscars 2026 “In Memoriam.” During remarks to Entertainment Tonight at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Rhimes characterized Dane as not being a “movie star.”

She then suggested that Dane would still be honored in another major awards context—specifically, she predicted recognition around the Emmys.

In short, Rhimes’ stance placed the omission in terms of how she thinks awards systems categorize prominence, with an emphasis that Dane’s recognition may be more tied to television than film.

Why it matters

The Oscars “In Memoriam” segment is widely watched, and being excluded is often treated as a signal—fair or not—that can affect how audiences perceive who the Academy chooses to spotlight. Rhimes’ defense also highlights how TV-led careers can still face scrutiny when major film-centric ceremonies decide what to include.

While Rhimes did not provide detailed criteria for selection, her remarks directly addressed the core criticism by tying Dane’s absence to star-type branding and future awards timing.