Judson Mills and Chuck Norris on Walker, Texas Ranger
TV & Film

Emmys Dragged Over 'Walker, Texas Ranger' In Memoriam Snub

Judson Mills slammed the Television Academy for omitting his late co-star, calling the tribute exclusion a terrible mistake.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

The Emmys are facing major backlash after leaving a legendary television star out of their broadcast homage. Judson Mills, who starred alongside the late action icon in *Walker, Texas Ranger*, is calling out the Television Academy for what he considers an unacceptable oversight during the annual In Memoriam segment. The exclusion of the martial arts star — who passed away in March at 86 years old — left viewers and former castmates shocked. Mills did not hold back his disappointment when discussing how the organization handled the tribute, expressing genuine hurt over the decision to skip his former screen partner.

Why Was The Walker Texas Ranger Lead Omitted From The Emmys?

Speaking out about the broadcast tribute gap, Mills blasted the omission as a terrible mistake and a tragic lapse in judgment. He explained that seeing his former co-star left out of the memorial sequence felt like a direct sting, noting how much the late actor gave to the medium throughout his storied Hollywood career. The star was a dominant fixture on network television throughout the 1990s. As the main attraction on the CBS procedural *Walker, Texas Ranger*, he commanded prime-time ratings for nine full seasons and starred in a massive 203 episodes. Given that incredible track record, his absence from the memorial package raised immediate outrage among long-time fans and industry peers.

Judson Mills and Chuck Norris on Walker, Texas Ranger
Judson Mills and Chuck Norris on Walker, Texas Ranger

What Did Judson Mills Say About The Emmys In Memoriam Snub?

Mills emphasized that omitting a lead performer who anchored a multi-season weekend blockbuster was an unfathomable call by producers. The actor noted that the decision hurt his feelings personally, as he believed his late colleague earned a permanent place in television history and deserved to be honored among his deceased peers on prime time's biggest night. Despite the snub on the live telecast, supporters have continued to flood social media with tributes celebrating the actor's legacy. For those who grew up watching the weekend action series, the legendary performer will always remain a pillar of 1990s television history, regardless of whether the Television Academy gave him his flowers. The Emmys frequently face criticism each year for leaving prominent names off their televised In Memoriam reel due to time constraints. However, critics and former castmates argue that omitting an icon who carried a nine-year network smash hit is a blunder that disrespects a lasting pop-culture legacy.

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

Loading comments…

People also ask

Why is Judson Mills calling out the Emmys?
Judson Mills slammed the Television Academy for failing to include his Walker, Texas Ranger co-star in the annual In Memoriam segment, calling the omission a terrible mistake.
How long did Walker, Texas Ranger run on CBS?
The hit action series ran for nine seasons and 203 episodes throughout the 1990s.