Some keen observers couldn’t help but note that several famous names were left out of the Oscars’ in memoriam tribute on March 12.
Before the section started, John Travolta offered a quick introduction and paid tribute to his “Grease” co-star and friend, Olivia Newton-John, who died in August at the age of 73. The song “Calling All Angels” was later sung by Lenny Kravitz.
At the memorial, people like Newton-John, Ray Liotta, Kirstie Alley, Robbie Coltrane, and others were honored. But, some viewers were left wanting more.
In reaction to the episode, actress Lydia Cornell tweeted, can anybody explain why this occurs every year?
The “Too Close for Comfort” star then mentioned a few names she noticed were missing, including Paul Sorvino, who died in July at the age of 83; Anne Heche, who died in August at the age of 53 from injuries sustained in a car accident; and Tom Sizemore, who died earlier this month at the age of 61, days after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Can anyone explain why this happens every year? Oscars In Memoriam Segment Missing Paul Sorvino, Anne Heche, Tom Sizemore, Leslie Jordan and Charlbi Dean From Oscar-Nominated ‘Triangle Of Sadness’ pic.twitter.com/5eT09DGnU9
— Lydia Cornell (@LydiaCornell) March 13, 2023
Sorvino’s wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, sent a statement criticizing her husband for not going to the memorial.
She stated that Paul Sorvino was one of the best performers in Hollywood history. It is deplorable that he was kept out of the Oscars’ ‘IN MEMORIAM’ portion. They can’t give a few extra minutes to get it perfect after a three-hour show?
During Kravitz’s performance, viewers may scan a QR code that leads to a more comprehensive online list of actors who died in the previous year. Paul Sorvino, Heche, and Sizemore are among those on the list.
Dee Dee Sorvino said that many people liked her husband and that the names that were mentioned online should have been mentioned on-air as well.
Paul wasn’t the only good person who was passed over, and a QR Code isn’t enough. The Academy must apologize, recognize its error, and commit to doing better in the future. Is the Academy so cynical that it forgets those who are loved, who have dedicated their souls to this business, and that Paul Sorvino and the audience deserve better? If this is not remedied, the Academy should be ashamed. Errors happen, and this was a major one. She requested that you do something to put things right.
Mira Sorvino, Paul Sorvino’s daughter, also expressed her dismay in a tweet.
She penned a letter saying that it’s beyond comprehension that her beloved father and so many other outstanding, talented deceased performers were overlooked. The Academy forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of them will never forget!!
It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out. The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!! https://t.co/dbgcfb1qy3 via @forthewin
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) March 13, 2023
In the midst of the uproar, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement.
The Academy receives hundreds of petitions to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam section. Based on the limited time available, an executive committee from each branch evaluates the list and selects choices for the broadcast. All contributions are featured on A.frame and will stay on the site for the duration of the year, according to the statement.
Charlbi Dean, who appeared in the Oscar-nominated film “Triangle of Sadness” and died in August at the age of 32, was also on the web list but was not included in the in memoriam broadcast portion. Other performers that were left off the show were “Laverne & Shirley” actress Cindy Williams, who died in January at the age of 75, and “Boogie Nights” star Philip Baker Hall, who died in June at the age of 90.
