The Oscars in memoriam segment, introduced in 1994, has become a tradition almost as established as the outcry that follows when a major film industry figure is omitted. This year, Brigitte Bardot, James Van Der Beek, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Bollywood actor Dharmendra were among those left out, sparking outrage on social media.
Critics often attribute omissions to forgetfulness, but the process is painstaking. A committee whittles a longlist of hundreds down to around 30 names. As Bruce Davis, former executive director of the Academy, told the LA Times in 2010, the process “gets close to agonising by the end. You are dropping people who the public know. It’s just not comfortable.”
Bardot’s omission is complicated by her controversial later life. At France’s Cesar awards, her name was booed due to her far-right involvement and multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred. Speculation suggests the Academy expected a similar response and opted to omit her. Personal conduct also played a role in omitting Alain Delon last year, with Variety’s Peter Debruge citing his “bad boy behaviour”.
More routinely, omissions are due to space constraints. With only a few minutes available, not everyone can be honoured. The segment must accommodate actors, directors, and less public-facing roles like casting directors and producers. This year, Giorgio Armani was included for his film costume design. Conversely, figures better known for TV work, like Van Der Beek or Warner, may be omitted, as Shonda Rhimes noted: “He’s not a movie star, and I feel like when the Emmys come around he will be immortalised.”
Decisions can feel arbitrary. In 2010, Farrah Fawcett was omitted despite her film work, while Michael Jackson, primarily a musician, was included. The Academy’s choices reflect a balancing act between honouring cinema contributions and avoiding controversy, but the annual outcry suggests the segment will never please everyone.
