The Sorvino family is not pleased with the Oscars.
If you watch the prestigious awards show, you’ll know that sadly, the “In Memoriam” segment is something we can expect with every broadcast. It allows us time to honor the late, great industry members who have passed away in the time leading up to the event, and gives the grieving families another opportunity to see their loved ones publicly lauded. But what happens if someone is left out?
As we reported yesterday, this was the case for a few stars, including the late Paul Sorvino, whose career in Tinseltown spanned over 50 years — and his wife and daughter are not happy. In a statement released to Entertainment Tonight Monday, Paul’s widow, Dee Dee Sorvino, called out the Academy:
“Paul Sorvino was one of the greatest actors in cinematic history in Hollywood. It is unconscionable that he would be left out of the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars. It’s a three-hour show, they can’t give a couple more minutes to get it right? Paul Sorvino gave decades to this industry and was loved by all. Paul was not the only deserving soul left out, and a QR Code is not acceptable.”
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She was of course referencing the link to the longer “In Memoriam” segment on the Academy’s website, which was cut down for time during the live broadcast. We sure don’t envy the crew having to make those decisions on who to cut… She continued:
“The Academy needs to issue an apology, admit the mistake and do better. Paul Sorvino deserves better, the audience deserves better, is the Academy so jaded they forget people who are loved, who have given their hearts to this industry? Shame on the Academy if this is not corrected. Mistakes are made, this was a big one. Please do something to make it right.”
She definitely raises some good points! You’re telling us there was enough time for multiple Will Smith jokes, but not to include the full tribute to industry members who have passed on? Oof.
Later, Paul’s daughter, Mira Sorvino, took to Twitter to share her thoughts:
“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!!”
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!! https://t.co/dbgcfb1qy3 via @forthewin
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) March 13, 2023
So sad.
Also left out of the live broadcast’s tribute was Anne Heche, Lisa Marie Presley, and Charlbi Dean, who had a prominent role in the three-time Academy Award nominated Triangle of Sadness, as well as comedians Leslie Jordan and Gilbert Gottfried, journalist Barbara Walters, and actors Fred Ward, Cindy Williams, Sacheen Littlefeather, and Tom Sizemore, who just passed earlier this month.
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[Images via Warner Bros./YouTube & Adriana M. Barraza/WENN]