The Academy Awards In Memoriam forgot some Hollywood greats.
Before introducing the montage of In Memoriam on Sunday night, Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel quipped: “Now it’s time for the interactive part of the show. Everyone please get out your phones, it’s time to vote. If you think Robert Blake should be part of the In Memoriam montage, text ‘give me a Blake’ to the number on your screen.”
The phones must have stayed in place because Robert Blake (“Baretta,” “In Cold Blood”) was omitted. But so were several Hollywood greats at this year’s 95th Academy Awards.
John Travolta, with a lump in his throat, hosted the Oscar segment at the Dolby Theater on Sunday night.
“In this industry, we have the rare luxury of doing what we love for a living, and sometimes doing it with people we grow to love,” Travolta said through tears after leaving on “Hopefully Devoted to You.” of fat”.
“And since tonight is a celebration of our community’s work and accomplishments over the past year, it’s fitting that we celebrate those we’ve lost, who have dedicated their lives to their craft, both in front of and behind the camera, to through their immeasurable contributions. Each one of them left an individual and indelible mark, which they shared and informed us, touched our hearts, made us smile, and became dear friends, to whom we will always remain hopelessly devoted.”
The In Memoriam segment began with his “Grease” co-star Olivia Newton John, and featured stars from Kirstie Alley, also Travolta’s co-star, to James Caan.
But several notable people were missing, and Oscar viewers took notice.
Among those omitted were “Goodfellas” actors Paul Sorvino and Tony Sirico. South African actress Charlbi Dean, who died shortly before the premiere of her film “Triangle of Sadness,” was even left out of the segment. “Six Days, Seven Nights” actress Anne Heche also failed to appear.
Also not honored was Sacheen Littlefeather, who had minor roles in “Shoot the Sun Down” and “The Trial of Billy Jack” but was most famous for turning down Marlon Brando’s Oscar on his behalf in 1973. The Academy reportedly celebrated her legacy at a tribute event last year, but couldn’t include her on Sunday night, but that could have been because of the previous statements of his sister that she shouldn’t be so honest.
Social media users naturally had a few things to say about the stars who left us last year and weren’t in the Oscars memorabilia.
@thejstoobs tweeted, “Did they really leave out one of the leads of the best picture nominee, Triangle of Sadness, Charlbi Dean from In Memoriam? #Oscar”
“Not Leslie Jordan or Paul Sorvino in the In Memoriam segment? What the hell? #Oscar Awards #AcademyAwards” tweeted @HunterBVideo.
Twitter user Matt Acuna said“For the Oscars not to include Sacheen Littlefeather in the In Memoriam section is disrespectful after what they put her through.”
AND @OyeLoui tweeted, “A pity that @TheAcademy did not include Ignacio Lopez Tarso in their In Memoriam tribute. The Mexican actor played Macario, in the film of the same name, which was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an #Oscar. RIP, teacher.”