If Beale Street Could TalkactressRegina Kingpresented this year’s in memoriam with a heartwarming speech.
“Tonight as we celebrate the very best of the past television season, we also take the time to remember the many legends we lost this year,” said King, 48. “Although they may be gone, their legacies now endure.”
As the sentimental video rolled in the background, “Without Me” singerHalseysang a moving rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”
One of the most emotional moments came when the tributes turned to beloved actorLuke Perry, who died in early March after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52.
His death brought grief to the television and film industries alike, as costars, friends and admirers all mourned the star’s impact on their lives. Perry is set to be remembered onRiverdalein the new season, with90210costar and close friend Shannen Doherty appearing as a special guest to honor him.
Luke Perry.Maarten de Boer/Contour/Getty
Harperdied on Aug. 30 at age 80after years of health issues, including leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, lung cancer and brain cancer. The actress was diagnosed withleptomeningeal carcinomatosisin 2013, just four years after she beat lung cancer in 2009.
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“She was happy every single day because she was given six weeks to live,” Harper’s close friend, Sue Cameron,toldPEOPLE. “Her goal was to teach everybody with cancer how to live with dignity, and with as much fun as you can.”
“Valerie said, ‘I’ve been given six weeks to live, but I’m going to have the best time,’” Cameron recalled. “And then she kept on living. She kept giving interviews saying, ‘I’m still here, still having a good time.’ “
Valerie Harper.Joe Pugliese
Also honored was 20-year-old Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce, whodied of epilepsyon July 6 — just weeks before the third installment in theDescendantsmovie series premiered. Boyce also starred in the showJessiefor the network alongside Debbie Ryan and appeared in movies likeEagle Eye, Grown UpsandGrown Ups 2.
The tribute also honored John Singleton, Cokie Roberts, Gloria Vanderbilt, Peggy Lipton, Kristoff St. John, Rutger Hauer, Penny Marshall, Peter Fonda, Stan Lee, Albert Finney, Rip Torn and Carol Channing, among others.
The 71st PrimetimeEmmy Awardsare airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles starting at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.
source: people.com
