Oscars Academy releases statement in response to outrage over stars missed from in memoriam segment

The Academy has officially issued a response to the growing backlash against this year's In Memoriam segment at the Oscars.

During Sunday's (12 March) ceremony, stars who had sadly passed away in the last year like Ray Liotta, Olivia Newton John, Angela Lansbury, Irene Cara, Jean-Luc Godard, Nichelle Nichols, Kirstie Alley were remembered in a big-screen montage, while Lenny Kravitz performed 'Calling All Angels'.

While many viewers were floored by John Travolta's emotional nod to his late co-star Olivia Newton John, most were left fuming that some major names were missing from the tribute.

At the end of the video, people were encouraged to scan a QR code or head to the Academy's website to get a full list of names, including many that weren't mentioned in the televised In Memoriam segment.

But viewers have argued that some key names in the movie business should have been remembered in the main event.

Now, in response to the backlash, the Academy has published a statement.

"The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment," it reads.

"An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All the submissions are included on A.frame and will remain on the site throughout the year."

ABC

Among those missing from this year's In Memoriam segment was Anne Heche, who sadly passed away last August aged 53.

As was Charlbi Dean, which was especially strange, since she had starred in Triangle of Sadness, which was nominated for Best Picture.

Fans also noted that major stars like David Warner, Cindy Williams, Philip Baker Hall and Tom Sizemore were missing from the tribute.

And Paul Sorvino also failed to make the cut, unlike his Goodfellas co-star Ray Liotta.

When Sorvino's daughter Mira learned that her late father hadn't been included, she took to social media to complain.

"Incredibly hurt and shocked that my father’s lifelong, irreplaceable, enormous contribution to the world of cinema was overlooked by whomever made that list," she wrote.

TODAY

"We his adoring family, and you, his adoring public, know just how unique and incredible he was.

"We hope @theacademy does something to put this right."

Sorvino's widow Dee Dee Sorvino also argued that limiting his memorial to a 'QR code was not acceptable'.

The actor died from 'natural causes' in July 2022 with his wife by his side, representatives confirmed last year.