Social media was outraged that the "Riverdale" star was left out of the "In Memoriam" segment despite appearing in one of this year's most nominated films.
UPDATE: "The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment," the Academy said in a statement to E! "An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All the submissions are included on Oscar.com and will remain on the site throughout the year. Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce are remembered in the Oscar.com gallery."
Original story below.
As expected, the Academy Awards took time to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant, who won an Oscar in 2018 for the animated short film he wrote and narrated called "Dear Basketball." They also honored one of the greatest film legends of all time, Kirk Douglas, with a little help from Billie Eilish.
But many online are crying foul that there was no mention of Luke Perry in the show's annual "In Memoriam" segment. Primarily known as a television star, Perry nevertheless appeared in one of this year's Oscar darlings, "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood."
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View StoryEilish was joined by her brother and musical collaborator Finneas for the segment, where they took on The Beatles' classic "Yesterday." And over her signature vocals, which fit the somber moment beautifully, the first image that appeared was that of Bryant holding up his Oscar.
It was accompanied with a quote: "Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going."
The touching segment was punctuated with an image of Kirk Douglas, the legendary actor who passed away just four days prior to the ceremony at 103 years old. An icon of the film industry, Douglas has appeared on the stage in recent years alongside his son Michael Douglas.
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View StoryBut while the Academy made time for these notable stars, along with many others, it was one glaring omission that left social media fuming. Released in July, four months after Perry's shocking death on March 4, 2019, "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" was Luke Perry's final appearance for either film or television.
And yet he was nowhere to be seen in a segment that featured stars big and small, as well as producers, directors and virtually every other position related to filmmaking.
There are many possibilities as to why Perry was excluded from the segment, from it being a simple error to the Academy having to make tough decisions every year on who to cut based on time. Another one that got fans riled up was Cameron Boyce, best known on the big screen for the "Grown Ups" films, who died tragically at 20 years old.
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View StoryOr it could be that both of their biggest presences were on television, and perhaps the Academy considered the fact that they were honored notably during the 2019 Emmy Awards in making their decision.
Of course, that doesn't discredit his more than 30 film roles throughout his career, and there have been plenty of actors and actresses who've been honored at both the Emmy and Academy Awards ceremonies.
For now, it remains an unknown, and one that's left his fans more than a little unhappy. And so, they're honoring him themselves all over again, as they did nearly a year ago when he passed. And they're expressing their frustration with the Academy:
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View StoryNo Luke Perry in the In Memoriam? He was in one of the Best Picture nominated movies... #Oscars2020 pic.twitter.com/wKuRu1JQBS
@Stephxo6612
He wasn't in the In Memoriam montage, but let's remember Luke Perry tonight, too 😢 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/CaRhTeZasf
@cbleiker
Um. Where was Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce in that memorial? Upset. #TheOscars
@tanzacochran
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
@LaurHof11
#Oscars
@Jeff_S_Baker
How the f*k is Luke Perry not in the In Memorium segment? He was in a movie nominated for best picture for God sakes!
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
@_jessemanuel_
Cameron Boyce and Luke Perry not being a part of the in memoriam is the reason why my eyes are dry
@myrepugaytion
did they forget luke perry? pic.twitter.com/EkgpOb6wAd
@katieskrsgard
Big bummer not to see Luke Perry's name during the #Oscars In Memoriam. pic.twitter.com/YZKaZSU4iu
@evanrosskatz
Luke Perry was in a best picture nominee.... #Oscars pic.twitter.com/fcUf0Cc8gH
@NewAndyland2
Oof! Not including Cameron Boyce and Luke Perry was a HUGE mistake academy! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/16lmz4lcUH
@emacdaddy1234
How did the #Oscars not include Luke Perry in the 'In Memoriam' segment? He was even in 1 of the nominated movies!!! Smh pic.twitter.com/XIbsudjuFq
@LaurenS702
No 'In Memoriam' mention for BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER star Luke Perry 😢 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/1BtkPBsRsZ
@NineDaves
so Luke Perry was in an Oscar nominated film this year and passed away, but he wasn't featured in the in memorial part of the show? there's something seriously wrong with that 😔 #oscars
@rileyakeegan
You forgot him !! #LukePerry #Oscar
@ZairaVirzi
@TheAcademy pic.twitter.com/FI5Vzkr9XL
WHERE WAS LUKE PERRY in memoriam? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/HjnaCupW6O
@ItsEmilySavage
I can't believe they forgot Luke Perry. He's in a nominated film ffs pic.twitter.com/cvb9gze5gv
@ironiacosmica
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