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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kyle O'Sullivan

Oscars In Memoriam slammed for snubbing huge stars - including Best Picture nominee star

Some Oscars viewers were left fuming with this year's In Memoriam segment - slamming the Academy for missing out some legendary stars.

John Travolta broke down on stage as he introduced the section, where the famous faces from Hollywood who have been lost this year are remembered.

The Grease actor began: "In this industry, we have the rare luxury of doing what we want for a living and sometimes we get to do it with people that we come to love.

"Since tonight is a celebration of the work and accomplishments of our community this past year, it is only fitting that we celebrate those we lost, who dedicated their lives to their craft both in front of and behind the camera."

"Through their immeasurable contributions each of them left an individual mark that shared and informed us," he continued as he visibly held back tears.

"They touched our hearts, they made us smile and became dear friends who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to."

John Travolta introduced the In Memoriam segment (AFP via Getty Images)

The final words were a reference to the hit song from Grease - a tribute to his late co-star Olivia Newton-John.

Lenny Kravitz performed his track Calling All Angels on stage while the names of those in the industry who have died in the past year were shown on screen.

Some of the stars who appeared were Robbie Coltrane, Dame Angela Lansbury, Kirstie Alley, Dame Angela Lansbury, Ray Liotta, James Caan and Raquel Welch.

However, there were a number of notable snubs, which were picked up on by viewers at home, including American actress Anne Heche.

The Sopranos star Tony Sirico and Will & Grace actor Leslie Jordan, known in the UK for appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and Benidorm, weren't mentioned.

Blake Hawk Down and Pearl Harbour actor Tom Sizemore was another missed name, as well as South African actress Charlbi Dean Kriek, who had a starring role in Oscar-nominated film Triangle of Sadness.

Leslie Jordan (AFP via Getty Images)

Taking to Twitter, one outraged viewer said: "Absolutely f***ing disgraceful to not include everyone in that In Memoriam, let alone a powerhouse of the industry like Paul Sorvino, or an actress in a Best Picture nominee tonight like Charlbi Dean Kriek."

"She was the lead in a best picture this year and you dont add her to the in memoriam?!?! RIP charlbi dean," added another.

A third said: "I enjoyed the show more than this guy did, but his thorough list of names left off the In Memoriam segment is staggering."

Following the end of the segment, the Academy directed viewers to its website for a longer list, but fans were still angry about 'glaring' omissions.

Another person who wasn't mentioned in the section was Robert Blake, who passed away just last week.

The Emmy Award-winning actor, best known for his role in 1967 film In Cold Blood, died from heart disease at his home in LA while surrounded by family on Thursday,

The 89-year-old was famous for being at the centre of a real-life murder trial following the death of his second wife Bonny Lee Bakley, who was shot outside an Italian restaurant in 2001.

Controversial actor Robert Blake died at the age of 89 (AP)

Blake was adamant that he had not killed his wife and a jury ultimately acquitted him in March 2005.

A civil jury found him liable for her death and order him to pay Bakley's family $30 million - a judgment which sent him into bankruptcy.

During the Oscars ceremony, host Kimmel got a mixed reaction with his joke about Blake.

"Everybody please get out your phones, even at home, it's time to vote," he said.

"If you think Robert Blake should be part of the In Memoriam montage, text GIMME-A-Blake to the number on your screen, or to any number."

He then added: "Text that to your mother if you like - message and data rates may apply."

While some found the joke funny, other viewers thought Kimmel had gone too far with his comments.

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