As Jelly Roll sang his original song "I Am Not Okay" during the award ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 15, late stars like Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons and Donald Sutherland were honored for their work in the world of television. Noticeably, Johnny Wactor, Shelley Duvall, Chita Rivera and Tyler Christopher, among others, were not named during the tribute.
"I believe that music is therapeutic," Jelly Roll, 39, said during his speech. "I believe that music can heal. I also believe that storytelling is just as cathartic."
"I hope that this song can act as a healing moment for those mourning the storytellers we have lost this year," he continued. "If you are feeling lost or alone tonight, I want you to know that it's okay to not always be okay."
Others who did make the on-screen celebration included Richard Lewis, Bob Newhart, Louis Gossett Jr., Gena Rowlands, Martin Mull, Piper Laurie, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Chance Perdomo, Carl Weathers, Dabney Coleman, Richard Moll, Susan Wojcicki, Phil Donahue and James Earl Jones. Those not in the aired "In Memoriam" were featured on the Emmys website.
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The award show came just days after one of four people charged in connection with Wactor's shooting death pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and grand theft. CBS News, local KTLA 5, and Fox 11 reported on Sept. 12 that Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was released after posting $120,000 bail and pleading guilty to the two charges.
The General Hospital alum was shot on May 25 at the age of 37 when he was met with four men attempting to steal the catalytic converter out of his car, police allege. He was with his brother, who was a bartender at the time, and his colleague.
"He did not confront them," the actor's brother Grant said. "He did not try to stop them. He was just trying to diffuse the situation by stepping back."
Also from General Hospital, Tyler Christopher died on Oct. 30 "following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment." His sudden death sent shockwaves among his fans, as the actor was only 50.
Kelly Thiebaud, who played one of Christopher's character's love interests on General Hospital, said her "heart breaks" as she begins to process the loss of her scene partner.
"I was lucky enough to get partnered up with some wonderful leading men on General Hospital, Tyler was one of them. I learned so much about working on a Soap during that time together. He was a great scene partner and was always kind to me," she wrote on Instagram. "I remember feeling anxiously excited to get to work with such a legend on the show. Before getting on GH, I would sometimes watch the show and my favorite couple was Nikolas and Emily, so you can imagine how excited I was when we got paired up."
Duvall, who was known for her roles in The Shining and Nashville, died on July 11 after experiencing health complications from diabetes. She had just celebrated her 75th birthday.
"My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us," her partner Dan Gilroy told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. "Too much suffering lately, now she's free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley."
Director Scott Goldberg, who worked with Duvall on her final film, 2023's The Forest Hills, told PEOPLE, "Shelley leaves behind an amazing legacy and will be missed by so many people, myself included. I am proud of her for overcoming adversity to act again and will always be forever grateful for her friendship and kindness."
See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as they're broadcasting live on ABC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
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