Actor snubbed by Oscars 'In Memoriam' was part of infamous performance at 1989 ceremony with Chri...

Corey Parker died on March 5 at the age of 60, after a battle with cancer. Actor snubbed by Oscars 'In Memoriam' was part of infamous performance at 1989 ceremony with Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey Corey Parker died on March 5 at the age of 60, after a battle with cancer. By Kathleen Perricone March 17, 2026 11:58 p.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/TheStarsofTomorrow1989Oscars031726d8e91dd7c3cf4157a45cf2102e2ac5ba.jpg) Corey Parker (fourth from left, top row) performed with Patrick Dempsey, Christian Slater, and more.

Corey Parker died on March 5 at the age of 60, after a battle with cancer.

Actor snubbed by Oscars 'In Memoriam' was part of infamous performance at 1989 ceremony with Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey

Corey Parker died on March 5 at the age of 60, after a battle with cancer.

By Kathleen Perricone

March 17, 2026 11:58 p.m. ET

Corey Parker (fourth from left, top row) performed with Patrick Dempsey, Christian Slater, and more. Credit:

Of the many names left out of the "In Memoriam" segment at this Sunday's Academy Awards, one was actually celebrated on the Oscars stage four decades ago.

Corey Parker, who died on March 5 at the age of 60, was a featured performer in "The Stars of Tomorrow," a nine-minute musical number that marked the debut of 19 up-and-comers, including Patrick Dempsey, Christian Slater, Ricki Lake, Corey Feldman, and Blair Underwood.

The performance, choreographed by Kenny Ortega (of *Dirty Dancing* fame), was introduced by Hollywood vets Lucille Ball and and Bob Hope, who praised the next generation of Oscar winners.

"Make a note of their names now," Hope told the 42.6 million viewers watching at home. "You're going to be hearing a lot from these kids."

Underwood, who was on *L.A. Law* at the time, opened the number. Decked out in a sparkly tuxedo, the actor sang about his dream that "some day I'll be the one who walks up here accepting the prize."

One by one, the other "Stars of Tomorrow" have their moment in the spotlight, most notably Holly Robinson Peete, Keith Coogan, Joely Fisher, Ricki Lake, Patrick Dempsey, Chad Lowe, Corey Feldman (dressed like Michael Jackson), and Christian Slater.

James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot, and more left out of Oscars 'In Memoriam'

See strange 1989 Oscars showstopper starring Patrick Dempsey, Christian Slater, and more

But the final performance belongs to Parker, who breaks away from the group's chorus line to take center stage at the podium.

"And the Oscar goes to," he says, as the orchestra plays a drum roll. Opening the envelope, Parker feigns surprise. "Me," he mouths, before running back to the group and leading them up a grand staircase topped with a giant Oscar statuette.

Corey Parker onstage at the 1989 Academy Awards.

Parker, a New York native, first caught the acting bug at the age of 5.

Over his five-decade career, he appeared on TV (*As the World Turns*, *Thirtysomething*, *Love Boat: The Next Wave*) and film (*Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning*). Parker is perhaps best remembered for his recurring role on *Will & Grace* as the environmentally friendly boyfriend of Debra Messing's Grace Adler.

Corey Parker on 'Will & Grace' as Josh, Grace's boyfriend.

Chris Haston/NBCU

"Corey Parker was an incredible human being. He was a friend, a mentor and a deeply supportive soul to so many people in the acting community," his representative, Chris Ahuja, said in a statement. "I had the privilege of knowing him personally, and like countless others, I was inspired by his generosity, wisdom and dedication to helping actors grow in their craft. He will be deeply missed."

*Will & Grace* star Messing paid tribute to the actor on her Instagram Stories on Sunday, March 8, per *USA Today*.

"So sad," Messing wrote. "Corey was so kind. Just lovely. What a tragic loss. My love to all who loved him."

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Source: Academy

Published: March 19, 2026 at 06:01AM on Source: PRIME TIME

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