Academy: Farrah Fawcett Omitted Because of TV-Heavy Career

By Bryan Alexander Posted Mar 9th 2010 08:18PM

Farrah Fawcett was left off the 'In Memoriam' segment of the 82nd Academy Awards because she was an actress better known for her television work, the executive director of the film academy said on Tuesday.

The controversial decision to leave the 'Charlie's Angels' star off the list was the result of a long discussion, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences executive director Bruce Davis told the Associated Press.

Fawcett was best known for her "remarkable television work," he said, and would be more appropriately honored by the television academy at the Emmy Awards. The Academy Awards recognizes achievement in movies.

"In every category, you're going to miss some wonderful people," said Davis, who has helped assemble Oscar's 'In Memoriam' montage since it began in 1993.

Fawcett had movie roles in 'Logan's Run,' 'The Apostle' and 'Extremities.' Her omission from the Oscar memorial list has sparked outrage on the Internet and from her family, who said in a statement that they were "deeply saddened."

When asked why Michael Jackson was included when actors were left out, Davis explained that Jackson had appeared in a popular theatrical film recently ('This is It'). Fawcett and Jackson both died on June 25.

"Think of all the blogging we would have gotten if we had left him out!" he said.

Tags: primacy_movies

Comments

(130)

Tuesday 09 March

By susan

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when you are looking for excuses you can make up anything.... what the academy did was uncalled for and insensitive to one of their own....shame on them

Thursday 11 March

I think it was horrible that Farrah was left out. She did stand out to the public, she was important as the others and shared her horrible burden of cancer with the world. Reporters were always after her when she was healthy and striving and more so when she was dying. How very sad to her family and friends

By Gene

Farrah Fawcett was one of those rare individuals who gave a lot more than she was given, who delighted those of her generation with her acting ability, her many kindnesses, her willingness to help others, and her dedication to her many fans. No amount of argument on the part of the Motion Picture Academy will justify their ineptitude regarding this blatant omission. Regardless of their action, or lack thereof, Farrah will forever be remembered by her fans both in the movies and on television as being nothing but the very best.

Wednesday 10 March

By Barbara

Beautifully stated, Gene. Farrah was a class act- I'm not sure the same could be said of Monday evening's Oscars

By Colleen

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I don't care what they say, they will never justify leaving Farrah out and putting Michael in. The argument that Farrah was better known for her TV work is a rediculously feeble excuse when Michael Jackson was of course better known for his MUSIC!!! He was in ONE movie in his entire life...The Wiz. "This is It" was produced posthumously and was never intended to BE a film until AFTER he died!

By Jamie

And yet they put friggen Michael Jackson in! I just don't understand it!

By laura

I was shocked to hear Michael Jackson's name in the arbituraries on the Oscar night and felt really sad when Farrah Fawcett was left out. She had such a painful death. How in the world could the academy have such a cold heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Debbie Payne

Very sad you would take MJ over Farrah F>Shame on you!!

By JLS

He can't really think we buy this crap! They mentioned dead writers but didn't mention Farrah! I am disgusted but not surprised. This is the way The Academy rolls. I've seen it many times.

By Debra S.

Isn't MJ a bit "music-heavy"? I don't believe anyone would have noticed if he had not been included. His memorium needs to produced in the music world, not movies.

John Denver was left out the year he died, too..he starred in O God with George Burns. They should have given both Farrah and John the respect they deserved

By lkelly1619@aol.com

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Well as always people are hating on Michael Jackson. Michael did two movies and a seies of short films. The Wiz, This is it, Moonwalk, Thriller and I think that is it. However Farrah did all that was mentioned as well as the burning bed! Yes she have been mnetioned - they both should have. It would have cost them nothing to include her. Bea Auther taking nothing from her was strictly tv if I am not mistaken, however if one has done more than two movies regardless of how long ago or far apart, then they should be mentioned! They may have chosen this due to her tv movies and not theater movies. I say give respect to ALL those who dies in Hollywood regardless if you did something in movies or tv!!

By thors skye

BOTH BEA ARTHUR AND ED MCMAHON WERE IN SEVERAL MOVIES AND BOTH WERE OVERLOOKED AS WELL. SHAME ON THE ACADEMY.

By Nick

The Envelope Please........ The Academy Loses for not including an american icon in a final tribute.

By joejr

Shame on the academy, once the actor has done a film (cinema release) they qualify. Shame on them.

Friday 12 March

By Tina

I grew up with both of Artist, Michael Jackson and Farrah, you should of included her in the Oscars. Or they both should of been left out.

By Kendermage

The reason Farrah was left out of the Oscars is because she was just an Angel, Michael was a King.

By redhottamales

I am appalled at that ridiculous reason for leaving Farrah Fawcett out of the memorials during the Academy Awards. Her role in The Apostle alone should have been the reason to include her. Michael Jackson was not a film actor - period. There are many actors and actresses who do both movies and television. That is not a good reason to leave her out. Shame on the academy for doing this to her. She fought a brave battle with cancer and was a good actress and a beautiful Texas lady. That was the biggest and rudest slight I have ever seen on Oscar night.

By golferrobb

The so called academy can spin this any way they want to. Farah was a movie actress and Michael Jackson was an unconvicted child molester. Shame on them.

By Karl

Since Farrah wasn't mentioned, boycott the Academy. The Academy are a bunch of snooty individuals who don't care what the general public likes or dislikes. Self proclaimed Gods of the motion picture industry. Hell has a whole room full of chairs waiting for these as_ho_es.

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