The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has defended its in memoriam tribute to late actors and artists that aired during the Oscars on Sunday after facing backlash for leaving some big names off the list.
Before the segment began, John Travolta gave a brief introduction and a nod to his “Grease” co-star and friend, Olivia Newton-John, who died in August at age 73. Lenny Kravitz then performed the song “Calling All Angels.”
The tribute paid homage to a number of stars, including Newton-John, Ray Liotta, Kirstie Alley, Robbie Coltrane and others. But the segment left some viewers wanting more.
Actor Lydia Cornell tweeted in response to the segment: “Can anyone explain why this happens every year?”
The “Too Close for Comfort” star then listed a few names that she noticed were missing, including Paul Sorvino, who died in July at age 83; Anne Heche, who died at age 53 in August from injuries sustained in a car crash; and Tom Sizemore, who died earlier this month at age 61, days after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Sorvino’s wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, shared a statement with NBC News criticizing her husband’s exclusion from the tribute.
“Paul Sorvino was one of the greatest actors in cinematic history in Hollywood. It is unconscionable that he would be left out of the ‘IN MEMORIAM’ segment of the Oscars. It’s a three-hour show, they can’t give a couple more minutes to get it right?” she said.
During Kravitz’s performance, viewers were able to scan a QR code that linked out to a more robust online list of actors who died over the last year. The list includes Paul Sorvino, Heche and Sizemore, among others.
Dee Dee Sorvino, who said her husband was “loved by all,” argued that the names listed online should also have been shared during the on-air segment.
“Paul was not the only deserving soul left out, and a QR Code is not acceptable. The Academy needs to issue an apology, admit the mistake and do better. Paul Sorvino deserves…
Read the full article here