Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons and more honored

While the 2024 Emmy Awards honored the achievements of popular TV shows and talent, the event also paused to remember the friends, colleagues and icons the community lost this year.

Shannen Doherty, Phil Donahue and Richard Simmons were among the stars honored during the 76th annual ceremony’s “In Memoriam” tribute, which pays tribute to industry greats who have passed away in the past year.

Other celebrated stars 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, Donald Sutherland and James Earl Jones.

Before performing his song “I Am Not Okay” for the tribute, Jelly Roll told the audience, “I believe that music is therapeutic. I believe that music can heal. I also believe that storytelling is just as cathartic.”

“I hope this song can be a healing moment for those who mourn the storytellers we’ve lost this year,” he continued. “If you’re feeling lost or alone tonight, I want you to know that it’s OK to not always be OK.”

Doherty died on July 13 at the age of 53, nearly a decade after she was diagnosed with cancer.

The actress got her first major role as Jenny Wilder in Our little farm at the age of 11 before appearing in the 1989 black comedy Heather. Her breakthrough role as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 catapulted her to a stratospheric level of fame. Another iconic role – as Prue Halliwell in the supernatural drama from WB Charmed — followed.

In the following decades, Doherty worked continuously, appearing in television films, with several of the original 90210 Actors on the short-lived revival BH90210 and the start of the Let us be clear Podcast. The actress was also passionate about fighting cancer, trying to prove that people with cancer can still lead fulfilling lives and make significant contributions.

“We are dynamic and have a very different outlook on life,” Doherty told PEOPLE in 2023. “We are people who want to work, enjoy life and keep moving forward.”

Donahue, who was known as the “King of the Daytime Talk Shows” and died on August 18 at the age of 88 after a long illness, changed the face of daytime television with The Phil Donahue Show. The show, which ran for 29 years, earned acclaim for its celebrity interviews and tackling difficult topics – from racism to child abuse in the Catholic Church.

After completing his eponymous talk show in 1996, Donahue wrote and directed Body of Wara 2007 documentary about an Iraq War veteran, and co-authored the 2020 book What makes a marriage last with Mrs. Marlo Thomas.

In May, Donahue told PEOPLE that the “one thing” that served as the “foundation of the 7,000 episodes” he recorded was “curiosity.”

“I still believe that despite our differences, we are all part of this big global family and we just need to get to know each other so that we can share the world together,” he added.

Simmons, who died on July 13 at the age of 76 from complications of blunt trauma, became a pop culture fitness icon, releasing more than 50 workout videos – including his memorable franchise Sweating to the oldies — Author of five best-selling books, hosts weight-loss cruises, and teaches classes at his Slimmons studios in Beverly Hills, California.

In his final interview with PEOPLE in July, the elusive and humble star reflected on his legacy.

“I never saw myself as a celebrity,” Simmons said. “People don’t know this: I’m a very shy person and a bit of an introvert. When the curtain goes up, it’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy. But the recognition I get via email … we answer over 100 emails.”

“And they say, ‘I’m your biggest fan.’ And I write back, ‘Don’t say that, because I’m human, just like you. And I know you do good things, too,'” he added.

Lewis, who died of a heart attack on February 27, was best known for his trademark self-deprecating humor, which he displayed in countless stand-up performances as well as television and film roles.

He had a long-running role in Larry David’s Curb your enthusiasmin more than 40 episodes between 2000 and 2021. He was also known as a regular guest on The Late Show with David Letterman And The Howard Stern Show.

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Lewis’ acting career also took him to television shows with a leading role alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in the sitcom Everything but love from 1989 to 1992, in later television appearances on A heavenly family, Rude awakening, Bojack Horseman And Blunt Talkand in films like Robin Hood: Heroes in tights and 1995s Farewell to Las Vegas.

Lewis, who published an autobiography in 2000 entitled The other great depressiontold The Washington Post in 2020: “No, I’m not a very happy person. I’m happy to be alive. I’m grateful for the people in my life. I have great friends, a great wife, a dog and a great career.”

Watch PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on ABC.