Mira Sorvino slams Oscars over huge In Memoriam snub

Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino has publicly slammed the Academy over a significant decision during this year’s ceremony.

Oscars producers are facing backlash after failing to include some major Hollywood figures in this year’s In Memoriam segment.

Among those left out of the annual industry tribute was Six Days, Seven Nights star Anne Heche, beloved comedy actor Leslie Jordan, Sopranos star Tony Sirico, and South African actress Charlbi Dean, 32, who died shortly before the release of her film Triangle Of Sadness – one of the 10 nominated in the Best Picture category this year.

Charlbi Dean died last year, aged just 32. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP

Her movie, Triangle Of Sadness, was nominated for Best Picture.

Also left off the list was Goodfellas star Paul Sorvino – and his Oscar-winning daughter, Mira Sorvino, was just one of many viewers who were left outraged by the snub.

“It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out. The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!” she wrote on Twitter, after the Oscars segment aired with no mention of her father.

Mira Sorvino with her famous dad, Paul Sorvino, who died last July.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter - published after the ceremony aired - the Awards’ executive producers, Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, pointed out that they had no role in selecting people to feature in the In Memoriam montage.

“We’re not involved in those decisions,” Kirshner said, explaining that there was a “bigger listing” of people who had died over the past year which was posted on the Oscars’ website.

“We crafted the performative element of it, but there’s actually a group at the Academ meets and discusses who to include,” said Weiss.

THR added a clarification from an Accademy spokesperson, which stated that the Oscars committee behind the In Memoriam segment features a representative from each of the organisation’s 17 branches.

Travolta introduced the In Memoriam segment. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

An emotional John Travolta introduced the tear-jerking tribute segment on Monday, and became choked-up as he referenced his late Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John, who died from cancer last August.

“In this industry, we have the rare luxury of getting to do what we love for a living, and sometimes getting to do it with people that we come to love,” Travolta said, while battling tears.

“And since tonight is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of our community in this past year, it is only fitting then that we celebrate those we’ve lost, who’ve dedicated their lives to their craft, both in front of and behind the camera, through their immeasurable contributions.

“Each of them left an individual and indelible mark, that shared and informed us, they’ve touched our hearts, they’ve made us smile, and became dear friends, who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.”

Beginning with Newton-John, a montage of recently departed actors, directors, producers and other industry figures then played on the screen while singer Lenny Kravitz performed Calling All Angels.

Originally published as Mira Sorvino slams Oscars over huge In Memoriam snub