After last night’s Oscars, fans and Hollywood insiders are raising eyebrows — and voices — over perceived snubs in the in memoriam segment. Among the omissions: actors Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, whose recent passings shocked the industry.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is aware of the backlash, but sources tell TMZ there’s nothing cold-hearted behind the decisions.
How the In Memoriam List Is Made
A source with direct knowledge explains that the Academy receives hundreds of requests each year to include deceased industry figures in the segment. An executive committee representing every branch then reviews the submissions and makes recommendations based on the limited runtime of the broadcast.
“All submissions are included on Oscars.org and remain there for the year,” the source told TMZ, emphasizing that being omitted from the telecast doesn’t mean the person isn’t honored.
Why Fans Are Upset
Dane and Van Der Beek’s omission drew significant backlash online, with fans questioning why certain actors are skipped year after year. While both actors were well-known for their TV roles, each had a presence in film, meeting the Academy’s basic criteria for consideration.
The controversy reignites a familiar debate: how many of the year’s losses can realistically fit into a few minutes on live TV? Unfortunately, the answer is “not everyone.”
A Broader Conversation About Hollywood
Their recent deaths also sparked broader conversations about the financial pressures actors face. Many working actors’ earnings can vanish quickly due to medical bills and unexpected costs — a sobering reminder of the fragility behind the glamour of Hollywood life.
This isn’t the first time fans have noticed omissions. Last year, actor Tony Todd was left off the televised segment, prompting widespread social media outrage.
“The show must go on,” the Academy told TMZ. “Some industry folks who passed within the year are inevitably left off the live broadcast.”
Bottom Line
The Oscars in memoriam segment remains a delicate balancing act, aiming to honor the year’s losses while fitting within a strict runtime. While fans may continue to call out snubs, the Academy stresses that all names are officially recognized online, ensuring that every colleague and loved one is remembered in some form.
Stay tuned to The Pop Radar for more Oscars coverage, behind-the-scenes insights, and all the controversy you can’t see on TV.
