Ryan O'Neal 'stunned' over decision to leave Farrah Fawcett out of Oscars Tribute

**witchcurlgirl** · March 9th, 2010, 12:48 PM

Ryan O'Neal was "stunned" and "shocked" that Farrah Fawcett was left out of the "In Memoriam" tribute at the Oscars on Sunday, he told RadarOnline. And to perhaps make matters worse, her omission wasn't an accident.

"We were disappointed that she was not included in the tribute," O'Neal confirmed to the Daily News on Monday.

A rep for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences told E! that Fawcett’s absence was "not an oversight."

The same spokesperson, Leslie Unger, explained to RadarOnline, "unfortunately we don't include everyone."

"It was a terrible decision and very hurtful," O'Neal tells Radar Online. "Farrah was a member of the Academy for over 40 years and we could not believe she did not get a mention."

O'Neal says he watched the awards with daughter Tatum O'Neal. They were unaware of the Academy’s decision, and now they intend to protest.

"Both Tatum and I were very upset and we intend to write a letter to the Academy to try and get an explanation for this oversight on their behalf."

The Associated Press reported last week that the segment was running too long.

"It gets close to agonizing by the end," Bruce Davis, executive director of the Academy told the AP. "You are dropping people who the public knows. It's just not comfortable."

But O'Neal would likely not accept that excuse. He told Radar, “They gave mentions to sound guys and other writers and without being disrespectful, Farrah Fawcett was an icon and a household name."

Eyebrows were also raised over the omission of actress Bea Arthur, who had notable movie roles in addition to her best known work on the TV shows “Maude” and “The Golden Girls.”

Among the departed stars who appeared in the tribute were Patrick Swayze, Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy, and Dom DeLuise.

Movie critic Roger Ebert was one of the first to criticize Fawcett's absence from the annual highlight reel segment, via Twitter.

"No Farrah in the memorial. They have a whole lot of 'splaining (sic) to do," he wrote.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/03/09/2010-03-09_ryan_oneal_stunned_over_academys_decision_to_le ave_farrah_fawcett_out_of_oscars_.html#ixzz0hhsOYj dy

**MohandasKGanja** · March 9th, 2010, 12:51 PM

I can't believe film critic Rex Reed didn't put in a word for Farrah, too. They both starred in the celluloid masterpiece "Myra Breckinridge".

**Trixie** · March 9th, 2010, 12:58 PM

Poor Farrah. Overshadowed and bumped by Michael Jackson AGAIN.

**rollo** · March 9th, 2010, 01:01 PM

They could have put something in for Farrah although I'm not sure how long ago it was since she last had a hit movie. It was too bad that she died on the same day as MJ and he gets a mention at the Oscars - for his acting, I guess.

**SHELLEE** · March 9th, 2010, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Trixie

Poor Farrah. Overshadowed and bumped by Michael Jackson AGAIN.

No kidding! What a shame.

**kingcap72** · March 9th, 2010, 01:05 PM

And I'm stunned that it took Ryan more than 24 hours to use Farrah for free press again.

**baked_tater** · March 9th, 2010, 01:10 PM

Poor Farrah. And nPoor Bea Author. Fuck the Academy. I never watch it anyway, thats what gossip boards are for, the pictures and all the good shit.

**cupcake** · March 9th, 2010, 02:14 PM

didnt Farrah win an award for The Burning Bed?

**gas_chick** · March 9th, 2010, 02:16 PM

That was a made for tv movie.

**cmmdee** · March 9th, 2010, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by cupcake

didnt Farrah win an award for The Burning Bed?

I remember this movie!!!

**sluce** · March 9th, 2010, 02:19 PM

I was thinking about her last night and told my daughter and her friends that they need to watch her in Extremities.

**Laurent** · March 9th, 2010, 02:20 PM

The Academy needs to just drop the "In Rememberance" bit if they can't include everyone. It's tacky to mention some and not others, because it gives the impression that they weren't important enough. Just do away with it.

O'Neal says he watched the awards with daughter Tatum O'Neal.

Date night?

Sorry, I just couldn't agree with O'Neal for a whole post and not take a swipe at him.

**gas_chick** · March 9th, 2010, 02:20 PM

How about they cut the crap like interpretative dance and flash everyone who died.

**rollo** · March 9th, 2010, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Laurent

The Academy needs to just drop the "In Rememberance" bit if they can't include everyone. It's tacky to mention some and not others, because it gives the impression that they weren't important enough. Just do away with it.

Date night?

Sorry, I just couldn't agree with O'Neal for a whole post and not take a swipe at him.

It wouldn't have killed him to write a letter before the Awards, not after. It looks lame just sitting there watching tv and commenting.