Farrah Fawcett Oscar snub: Academy apologizes, cites 'remarkable' TV career

Celebs, fans and the Web took notice of late actress Farrah Fawcett's omission from the Oscar's annual "In Memoriam" clip on Sunday -- where deceased artists have been celebrated on the show since 1993. Now the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is responding.

"There's nothing you can say to people, particularly to family members, within a day or two of the show that helps at all," academy Executive Director Bruce Davis told People. 

"They tend to be surprised and hurt, and we understand that and we're sorry for it."

Despite their regrets the Academy maintains their exclusion of Fawcett, as they felt her "remarkable television work" would best be honored by the Television Academy (who put on the annual Emmy Awards). 

Tatum O'Neal, daughter of Fawcett's longtime partner Ryan O'Neal, issued a statement Tuesday on behalf of her family.

"We are deeply saddened that a truly beautiful and talented actress Farrah Fawcett was not included in the memorial montage...we are bereft with this exclusion of such an international icon who inspired so many for so many reasons," O'Neal said.

"Golden Girls" icon Bea Arthur was also excluded from the clip.

Did Farrah deserve a place in the Oscars memorial? Sound off in the comments section below.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Farrah Fawcett during an onstage tribute to late TV mogul Aaron Spelling in 2006. Credit: Brian VanderBrug / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[8 Women Dream]

Every time the Academy opens their mouth about this, they sick their foot further down their throat. Gees, they don't even know how to apologize without sounding condescending. Why don't say, "We made a mistake by omitting ______ for this we regret and deeply apologize to the families and her/his/their adorning fans." End of story, but no, now they feel they have to educate the public on just what a motion picture star is. But these are the same people who chose films like Forrest Gump over The Shawshank Redemption, or Chariots of Fire (ick - most boring movie ever) Raiders of the Lost Ark. And they wonder why so many just watch it for the clothes.

[M]

Yes, it was Fawcett's TV movie that raised awareness of domestic violence, and some of her big screen roles were quite a while ago, but she was also in more recent, and highly acclaimed, film roles. MJ raised awareness of child sexual abuse, and drug abuse, but this did not serve credit to the entertainment industry, and let's face it, The Wiz was from 1978.

Not only was Fawcett in a number of films, she took on some challenging roles. How could the Academy not have noticed Fawcett's more highly acclaimed, and more recent, film work?
.....................

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrah_Fawcett

"In 1986 Fawcett appeared in the movie version of *Extremities*, which was also well-received by critics, and for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama."

[In 1997] Fawcett was chosen by Robert Duvall to play his wife in an independent feature film he was producing, *The Apostle*. Fawcett received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Actress for the film, which was highly critically acclaimed.

In 2000, she worked with director Robert Altman and an all-star cast in the feature film *Dr. T and the Women*, playing opposite Richard Gere.

[Stephen and Catherine]

My wife and I ,

Here is another omission, the oscars section called in memorium, on Aug.26,2009 , Dominick Dunne passed away. He had a lot of TV credits but he also was a film producer and very influencial in Hollywood industry.Some of his films he produced were: The Boys in the Band- The Panic in N.eedle Park- Play it as it is- Ash Wednesday. He also wrote screenplays.

[julie]

Well, what a joke! Once again, the Academy screwed up! I also heard on Larry King today, that when Aaron Spelling died, he was also no mentioned by the Academy!! Well, when I heard that, say no more!!! Farrah , you were and always will be the best actress! As faras we, Canadians are concrened, the Best Actress Award is yours!!!

[Raquel]

IN MEMORIAM ALL ACTORS DESERVE SAME RESPECT AND EQUALITY. THE PUBLIC GIVES THEM BUT ALSO TAKES FROM THEM SO THAT IS MY THOUGHT ON THAT. ALSO, CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FAMOUS PEOPLE'S FAMILY THAT THEIR LIVES ARE ENDING SO TRAGICALLY? THAT IS MORE BOTHERSOME TO ME. ALONG THIS LINE I WISH BRAD PITT'S FORMER SPOUSE REQUESTS THE MEDIA TO STOP PORTRAYING HER CONSTANTLY AS IF SHE CAN'T GET ANOTHER MAN IN HER LIFE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR SOCIETY. I AM TIRED OF SEEING THE MEDIA AND PEOPLE FEEL SORRY FOR HER. MOVE ON PLEASE.

[Patti Johnson]

Yes she should of been mentioned. She was a TV icon, but over the years had proven herself time and time again to be a great actress as well. Michael Jackson was not an actor, he was an entertainer.

[Laura]

Farrah Fawcett should have absolutely been included in the memorial montage. Whoopi stated she acted in 17 theatrical films! She also was nominated for awards for Extremties and The Apostle.She was a beloved star known the world over. How the academie can rationalize that there wasn't enough time or not everyone "can make it" is a lame excuse. The fact that the omission was deliberate makes it even werse in my eyes. Shame on the academie, an apology and admittance of the poor decision is in order.I will not watch the Oscars ever again if they don't have the class or decency to amend for their mistake.

[Sue Quinn]

I was stunned that the great British actor, Sir Richard Todd, was also omitted. He was an Oscar nominee for The Hasty Heart. In the '50s and '60s, when his career was at its height here in the States, he gave many wonderful performances in prominent films: A Man Called Peter, The Virgin Queen, D-Day the Sixth of June, The Longest Day, and many Disney swashbucklers. Shame on the Academy!

[Stella]

Aside from the fact that Farrah also made a number of movies - several of which she was wonderful in - the logic here is inconsistent. Davis is saying that since she was mainly known as a TV actress, it was best to honor her at the Emmys. Fine - except for the fact that Michael Jackson was best known as a musician, and he was honored at the Grammys, AMAs, MTV, etc. - so why was he also shown at the Oscars? This was a stupid decision - they should just own up to it instead of making ridiculous excuses.

[Daybreaq]

You journalists who are claiming the Academy apologized have it all wrong. There was never any apology. Yes, there was the word "sorry" in Davis' statement; but anyone familiar with the word recognizes that the word itself doesn't automatically mean the speaker is apologizing. If I say to someone who has a cold, "I'm sorry you aren't feeling well." It doesn't necessarily mean I'm taking responsibility for their illness nor does it mean I'm apologizing for it. Davis basically said "they" are sorry Farrah's family members feel bad. He is not REALLY acknowledging "they" are responsible for their feeling bad NOR is he stating "they" regret any actions they took to cause those hurt feelings. On the contrary, they all keep insisting they made the correct decision to snub her and the 60 or so other notable members they also decided to snub because "they can't include everyone." They HAD to snub Farrah to include "screenwriters." Who did they snub Maurice Jarre (three time Academy winning composer who composed the movie Demi and Patrick were in together) for? But ... but ... there just wasn't enough tiiiime! Yeah, there wasn't enough time to include all 90 people on their list of notable members who died in the past year. Only time for thirty plus MJ, some journalists, publicists and agents. The lesser 60 would have taken another precious two minutes (maybe ... I think they could have done it fine with one extra minute) in their 3+ hour show to include. Actually, my guess is they couldn't come up with a song for James Taylor to sing that was a minute or two longer and for that totally petty reason, they saw good justification for snubbing about 60 people that deserved at least a second of acknowledgment of their passing.

[Daisy]

I have much respect for the man, I really do, but I think including Michael Jackson in the tribute was a plain stupid move on the Academy's part. He's been honored in every other outlet that is appropriate. I was dumbfounded when I saw his picture on the screen. I mean, really.

[Jim Q. Citizen]

The Academy could simply not stand the fact that Farrah Fawcett was a Catholic. In Hollywood, if you're not the right religion the powers that be will pass you by. That's ok- Farrah will always be loved by untold millions for the great actress and person that she was.

[Baker]

Bea Arthur may have not done a lot of films, but she is highly memorable in three I can think of off the top of me head: Lovers and Other Strangers, Mame and History of the World Part I.
Henry Gibson was a Golden Globe nominated actor, and he should have been Oscar nominated for his role in Nashville. He contributed great supporting turns in dozens of movies, from The Long Goodbye and The Blues Brothers
to Magnolia and The Wedding Crashers.
Richard Todd was nominated for an Oscar; you would think that that alone might be reason enough for inclusion, but the the Academy has neglected Oscar nominees in the past, including Peggy Lee and Peggy Cass. For that matter
they have omitted plenty of actors over the years who should have been included: Mary Wickes, Yvonne de Carlo, Beverly Garland, Kathleen Freeman, Brad Renfro, Lois Nettleton, Virginia Grey, Charles Lane and Dorothy McGuire. Old time stars like those from The Bowery Boys or The Little Rascals are never included, as if the Academy assumes no audience member has a memory that goes back further than Hannah Montana.
It's rotten; in its desperate search to grab young viewers, the Academy spits upon any movie lover who actually has an appreciation of the history of movies. But these are the people (the Academy producers) who did not think Lauren Bacall, Gordon Willis and Roger Corman were worthy of airtime, yet found time for an inane interpretive dance piece.

[john]

Edward Woodward was also left out. Many movies including "Breaker Morant" and "The Wicker Man". He also was the star for 4 year as of "The Equalizer."

[cjames]

Who cares? Really? The 'Academy' is just a bunch of spoiled, self-indulgent actors just sitting around congratulating each other. And we take interest in this?

[juney]

I can hardly take any more of this nonsense; Michael Jackson made Thriller, which was recently admitted to the National Film Registry, the most recognized short film of all time, as well his roles in the other films mentioned by previous commentators. HE WAS NOT INCLUDED AS THE EXPENSE OF FARRAH FAWCETT. They should have both been included, as should so many others who were omitted, MJ and Farrah are at rest; STOP THIS ENDLESS MINDLESS COMMENTING. MJ has suffered enough at the hands of the media; let's leave this alone, RIP to both.

[Mlyn]

This is not an apology, it is a shameful explanation. Farrah was such a classy lady and does not deserve to be treated with such disrespect.

The Academy should try again and make up for it's oversight (snub) in a big, heartfelt way.

[hockeyrick]

Excuse me!
TV work? She was nominated for a Golden Globe for Extremities! She was a voting member of the Academy for a zillion years!
Michael Jackson????? He made 1 crappy movie!!! And wasn't even a member!

It's a no-brainer! But then, so many that make the decisions have none!

[hockeyrick]

A bigger star on TV? You do realize she was in only 1 season of Charlies Angels! Most people don't believe that!

[Lisa]

What the Academy should apologize for is the separate tribute to John Hughes. What made Hughes so great that he rated his own tribute? How many Oscars and/or noms did he and his films rack up? Uh... let's see... ZERO!

@ Tom: I'm sure O'Neal got it wrong when he said that Farrah was an Academy member for 40 years. That would mean that she was admitted in 1970, when she was a nobody. If there's one thing the Academy does NOT do, it's invite nobodies to join their snootier-than-thou ranks!

[Lisa]

@ Baker: They also left out Greer Garson -- and she was an Oscar winner!

Just goes to show that the Academy is run by a bunch of dolts! If I were a friend or a family member of someone who were left out this year, I wouldn't take it personally.

[dreamgirl771]

To exclude Farrah or Bea was absolutely unexcusable. They are two icons on America's Hollywood and they deserved recongnition, no excuse for this! Outraged!

[Long time Fan]

Here ya go Academy. I don't know how many movie's one has to do qualify for your memoriam. But Farrah was in big screen - may not been block buster's but she was on the silver screen..... & deserved to be mentioned - needs to be HONORED. Logan's Run, Sunburn, Saturn 3, Cannonball Run, Man of the House & Dr T & The Women. I think these movie's more than qualifies her. And in these movie's Farrah acted with some very famous actors - Michael York, Art Carney, Joan Collins, Charles Grodin, Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel, Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Dom DeLuise, Chevy Chase, Richard Gere & Helen Hunt. You were wrong not to HONOR Farrah Fawcett at the Academies. She deserved it more than Michael Jackson did.