PA ImagesThe Academy Awards have sparked controversy once again, this time over their apparent snub of Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce in the famed ‘In Memoriam’ section.
During last night’s ceremony – as in previous years – the Oscars took time to honour the many talents lost during the past year, with Billie Eilish performing Yesterday as a touching tribute.
Kobe Bryant, Rip Torn, Barbara Hammer, Steve Golin, Diahann Carroll, Agnes Varda, Seymour Cassel, Doris Day, and Kirk Douglas were all among those paid tribute to in the segment.
You can watch Billie Eilish’s performance below:
Noticeably absent from the tribute was Luke Perry, who died last year at the age of 52 after suffering a ‘massive stroke’ at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.
As well as starring in Beverly Hills 90210 and Riverdale, Perry’s work included several high-profile films, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 8 Seconds, and The Fifth Element.
The absence of the the actor was especially apparent considering Perry’s final film role was a cameo alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which was nominated in 10 categories and took home two at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Sony PicturesFans of Perry took to social media to express their disgust at the Oscars’ decision not to include the actor in their tribute, describing it as ‘bullsh*t’.
One person wrote: ‘Luke Perry wasn’t in the In Memorial?? He was literally in one of the most nominated films of the night!! Disrespectful!!’ while another simply said: ‘How the f*k is Luke Perry not in the In Memorium segment?’
Another wrote: ‘Wait a minute? Let me see if I’m understanding this…the Oscars had a memoriam and somehow Luke Perry was excluded despite that he’s in one of the nominated films?!’
Luke Perry's last movie was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The man was more talented than most current actors' left pinky. Can't throw his photo up for .4 seconds at the Oscars? That's some bullshit. pic.twitter.com/J8ucjvIca9
— The Hof (@LaurHof11) February 10, 2020
Luke Perry wasn’t in the In Memorial?? He was literally in one of the most nominated films of the night!! Disrespectful!! 😒 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/qILlmPLTgr
— Jesse Manuel Quiles (@_jessemanuel_) February 10, 2020
Wait a minute? Let me see if I'm understanding this…the Oscars had a memoriam and somehow Luke Perry was excluded despite that he's in one of the nominated films?! pic.twitter.com/3nth2skJHp
— ericastwilight (@ericastwilight) February 10, 2020
Also absent from the tribute segment was Disney star Cameron Boyce, who died in July last year at the age of 20 after suffering an epileptic seizure.
Boyce was best known for his work in Disney’s The Descendants and its sequels, and his other work included Grown Ups and its sequel, alongside Adam Sandler – among many other projects.
Skai Jackson, who starred alongside Boyce in the Disney Channel show Jessie, took to Twitter to express her frustration over the fact he wasn’t mentioned, writing: ‘Cameron Boyce??? Why did you guys forget about him? It would have been nice if he was acknowledged… Smh.’
Cameron Boyce??? Why did you guys forget about him? It would have been nice if he was acknowledged… Smh. #Oscars
— Skai (@skaijackson) February 10, 2020
cameron boyce had such a huge impact into a lot of people’s lives including people in the film industry. just cause his career centered mostly around disney didnt make him any less of an actor. him being left out of the in memoriam just felt wrong.
— 𝓈𝒶𝓁𝓂𝒶 (@BALlNSKAS) February 10, 2020
cameron boyce deserved to be honored during the oscars tonight. that is undeniable. cam, you continue to shine so brightly and this world is so grateful for your light
— Setitofff (@setit_offf) February 10, 2020
Other stars not recognised in the tribute included horror legend Sid Haig, who died at the age of 80 in September, The Carol Burnett Show star Tim Conway, who passed away last May at the age of 85, Oscar-nominated actor Michael J Pollard, who died in November at the age of 80, and Airwolf‘s Jan-Michael Vincent, who died in February at the age of 74.
However, all of these actors – including Perry and Boyce – were included in an ‘In Memoriam’ gallery on the Academy’s website.
Rest in peace.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).