The Academy has come under fire after the segment remembering those the entertainment industry has lost over the past year failed to include the late 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actor among many others.
- Feb 12, 2020
AceShowbiz - Oscars bosses have blamed "limited available time" for Luke Perry's absence from the ceremony's In Memoriam segment.
Following the awards on Sunday night (February 09), many fans were in uproar over the late actor being missed out of the tribute slot, which remembers those the world of entertainment has lost over the past year.
And in response to the backlash, which was also prompted by Cameron Boyce and Sid Haig being left out of the segment, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs the annual awards ceremony, released a statement.
"The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment," it read. "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 Oscar.com."
Perry's absence from the In Memoriam slot was all the more surprising considering his last film role before his tragic death in March (19) was in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood - which was nominated for numerous awards at the 2020 Oscars.
Tori Spelling, who starred alongside Perry in "Beverly Hills, 90210", was among those tweeting her shock at the snub, writing: "Now two of the most creative and talented men I have ever known, loved, and lost have not been mentioned in the #oscars memoriam. First, my Dad Aaron Spelling who passed in 2006 and now my friend Luke Perry who passed in 2019."
Tori's husband Dean McDermott also expressed his anger on social media, tweeting: "Also missing from the in Memoriam is Sid Haig, Tim Conway, Michael J Pollard, Jan-Michael Vincent and Cameron Boyce. Not to mention the 2007 snub of the great Aaron Spelling. Got an explanation for us @theacademyawards.oscars @theoscars2020."
