H.E.R. sang "Nothing Compares 2 U" as the montage of photos and footage of television greats we lost over the past year played.
However, there was one very notable absence: Kobe Bryant. The LA Lakers star and Academy Award winner for Best Animated Short Film died alongside six others, including his daughter Gianna, in a helicopter accident in February.
While never a series regular on TV, Bryant was the executive producer of the sports docuseries Details and guest-starred on Modern Family and Moesha.
The basketball star's absence was especially notable as Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Emmys from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, better known as the house that Kobe built.
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