During the recent Oscars ceremony, legendary actor Al Pacino found himself at the center of attention after omitting the names of the best picture nominees while announcing the winner of the prestigious award. Pacino, who was the final presenter of the evening, declared 'Oppenheimer' as the best picture winner without listing the full slate of nominees.
In a statement released the following day, Pacino clarified that the decision to exclude the nominees was not his own but rather a directive from the Oscars producers. He expressed his respect for the nominees and emphasized that he deeply empathizes with filmmakers, actors, and producers who may have felt slighted by the oversight.
The 83-year-old actor, a nine-time Oscar nominee and winner of the best actor award for 'Scent of a Woman' in 1992, acknowledged the significance of being nominated and the importance of recognition in the industry.
The decision to skip reading all the nominees for best picture was part of an effort to streamline the ceremony, which ultimately ended in a timely manner. The nominated films were individually highlighted throughout the show with montages, but Pacino's concise presentation left some viewers puzzled.
Notably, the omission of nominee readings was not limited to the best picture category. The announcement of winners in other categories, such as original song, also bypassed listing the nominees again.
Oscars producer Molly McNearney explained that the choice to forego reading the nominees was a deliberate creative decision aimed at managing the show's runtime. She expressed regret if the decision put Pacino in a challenging position and clarified that the intention was to keep the audience engaged and focused on the award outcomes.
Looking ahead, Penguin Press revealed that Pacino is set to release a memoir later this year. The memoir promises to offer a revealing account of Pacino's illustrious career, including insights into iconic films like 'The Godfather,' 'Serpico,' and 'Dog Day Afternoon.'
In a statement, Pacino expressed his desire to share his life experiences and creative journey with readers, highlighting the significance of documenting his remarkable career in the entertainment industry.
