Producers of this weekend’s 82nd Annual Oscars have defended a slight that left ’70s sex symbol Farrah Fawcett out of the annual “In Memoriam” montage — which pays tribute to Hollywood stars who have died over the past year. The Charlie’s Angels actress died in June after a nearly three year battle against cancer, but she was absent from the Academy Awards’ tribute section on Sunday night, which marked the deaths of stars including Brittany Murphy and Patrick Swayze.
The snub has caused some film fans to speculate that Fawcett had been left out because of her notable television career. The actress was best known for her career in television, but she did act in several movies; including The Cannonball Run and The Apostle, and Extremities — for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1987.
Bruce Davis, the executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, argues that it’s impossible to pay tribute to every star who has passed away in the last year.
“It is the single most troubling element of the Oscar show every year, because more people die each year than can possibly be included in that segment. You are dropping people who the public knows. It’s just not comfortable.”
That explanation isn’t sitting well with some Hollywood vets, who used the Web to voice their displeasure with the Fawcett Diss.
“Why didn’t they show Farrah Fawcett during the memoriam? So strange,” socialite Nicky Hilton Tweeted during last night’s ceremony.
Star Jones argues that Farrah appeared in several facets of entertainment: Jones wrote on her Twitter page, “FYI (for your information)… Farrah had a very diverse career… that included Broadway, TV & Film. She even received a Golden Globe nom.”
Jane Fonda was also shocked that the Oscars montage omit Fawcett: “Where was Farrah Fawcett? She should have been included.”