The Oscars’ ‘In Memoriam’ segment is always one of the show’s highlights, as it honors the many skilled film professionals who passed away in the last year. It’s understandable that not everyone can be included as time is limited, but viewers are always surprised when their personal favorites are left out. These six celebrities were excluded from the 2023 show.
Paul Sorvino
Actor Paul Sorvino was one of many people excluded from the ‘In Memorium,’ much to the disappointment of his daughter Mira. She took to Twitter to express her feelings, saying, “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!!”
He was best known for taking on roles of both law enforcement and criminals in works like Goodfellas and Law & Order. While he primarily stood out in supporting roles, he was cast as the lead in Oh, God! and the 1972 play That Championship Season. He died on July 25, 2022, at the age of 83.
Tom Sizemore
Tom Sizemore was best known for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, and Heat. Although he became a well-known name, he also struggled with substance abuse for much of his life, eventually entering rehabilitation for addiction. He was featured on two different reality shows that followed his recovery, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House.
He was working right up until his death. On February 18, 2023, Sizemore suffered a brain aneurysm and was immediately rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles to receive treatment. Unfortunately, there was no chance of recovery. His family had to make the difficult decision to stop further care. He died on March 3, 2023.
Anne Heche
Anne Heche was a renowned actress who was featured across many mediums: film, television, and theater. She made a name for herself on the soap opera Another World, eventually moving on to popular movies like Volcano, Wag the Dog, and Brasco.
She was only 53 years old when she died. On August 5, 2022 she was driving her car when she crashed it into a house while speeding. Although she was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles, her injuries were too extensive. Tragically, she died on August 11, never regaining consciousness after the accident.
Leslie Jordan
Leslie Jordan and his cheery face will be greatly missed. Best known for playing Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace, he also joined the American Horror Story franchise later in his career, playing many different characters. Although he was already popular, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to join Instagram and earned entirely new fans with over 5.8 million followers.
On October 24, 2022, at 67 years old, Jordan died. It was reported that he crashed his car into the side of a building while driving to work on Call Me Kat. Concerns arose when he didn’t arrive for filming, and the crew was told about the accident. According to the coroner’s report, the cause of death was “sudden cardiac dysfunction.”
Charlbi Dean
Perhaps the most surprising omission from the ‘In Memoriam’ segment was Charlbi Dean, given that she starred in the 2023 Best Picture nominee, Triangle of Sadness. Although not yet a well-known actress, this was supposed to be her breakout role as her acting received a lot of praise.
Sadly, she died at only 32 years old following a visit to a New York City hospital. She went in on August 29, 2022, because she was feeling unwell, and passed away a few hours later when her symptoms got worse. After an autopsy, it was revealed that she had bacterial sepsis which caused her death.
Robert Blake
Robert Blake was best known for two of his roles, In Cold Blood in 1967, and Baretta during the 1970s. Yet the fame from these jobs pales in comparison to the notoriety that he earned from allegedly slaying his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, in 2001. He was initially acquitted but was later found liable for wrongful death. He died only three days before the 95th Academy Awards, on March 9, 2023.
Despite this tight turnaround, he could have been included in the segment if the producers wanted to. In reality, they probably left him out on purpose. Even Jimmy Kimmel joked about the absence, saying, “Everybody please get out your phones, it is time to vote, even at home, if you think Robert Blake should be included in the “In Memoriam” montage, text “GIMME-A-Blake,” to the number on your screen or any number.”
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Aside from Blake, each of these actors, despite not making the televised ‘In Memoriam’ list, was featured on the Oscars website.