Actor Eric Dane, known for playing Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, was left off the list of nominees for the 2026 Emmy Awards, five months after his death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
His absence was considered one of the biggest surprises among this year’s nominations, as many fans had expected a posthumous tribute to the actor for his performance in the third and final season of the series.
Dane reprised his role in the final season of Euphoria, filming his scenes in just one day due to the progression of the disease. Since he appeared in only a few episodes, he was eligible for the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category, but ultimately did not receive a nomination. Had he been nominated, it would have been the first Emmy nomination of his career.
The third season of the HBO production received mixed reviews but secured nominations for some cast members, including Zendaya, who is once again competing for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award.
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Eric Dane’s exclusion drew even more attention because another deceased artist, Rob Reiner, received a posthumous Emmy nomination for his appearance in The Bear. The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on September 14.
Photo: Instagram @ericdane. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
