‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Creator Shonda Rhimes Says Eric Dane Was Excluded From Oscars In Memoriam Because ‘He’s Not a Movie Star’: ‘We Can’t Fault the Oscars’

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“Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes is not angry over the exclusion of Eric Dane from the Oscars’ televised In Memoriam section. Dane, who died in February at 53 years old after a battle with ALS, was one of several prominent actors who were not included in the In Memoriam segment. James Van Der Beek, Brigitte Bardot, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Robert Carradine, and “Harold and Maude” star Bud Cort were also excluded.

“Well, he’s not a movie star,” Rhimes told Entertainment Tonight after the Oscars amid instant backlash over Dane and other actors’ omissions. “I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be. I don’t think… we can’t fault the Oscars for the fact they’re looking at movies, and there were so many people who were lost… Eric was unique to television.”

The Oscars’ In Memoriam section was expanded this year during the live ceremony to include larger tributes to Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner. Barbra Streisand sang parts of “The Way We Were” to honor co-star Redford, while Keaton’s “The Family Stone” co-star Rachel McAdams gave a heartfelt speech honoring the “Annie Hall” Oscar winner. Reiner’s tribute was one of the emotional highs of the Oscars, Billy Crystal paying tribute to his dear friend and then being joined on stage by dozens of actors from Reiner’s movies, from Kathy Bates to Meg Ryan, Jerry O’Connell, Annette Bening and more.

“Eric is—was an incredible human being,” Rhimes told ET. “And I still say ‘is’ because it’s very hard for me to believe he’s gone. He was a huge loss for us. He was a huge loss for the Shondaland family, for the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ family, and honestly the people that he knew. He was just a wonderful, wonderful giving guy. And I don’t think everybody understands how amazing he was.”

Dane appeared as Dr. Mark Sloan, memorabaly dubbed McSteamy, for 145 episodes of the ABC medical drama. On behalf of her company, Shondaland, Rhimes wrote in the hours after Dane’s death that he “was a beloved member of the Shondaland and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ families. He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world.”

“We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work,” Rhimes concluded at the time.