The Oscars 2015 In Memoriam segment paid tribute to a lot of late great stars we lost this past year, including Robin Williams, Mike Nichols, Lauren Bacall, Edward Herrmann, Mickey Rooney, and Maya Angelou. At least one familiar face was notably missing, however — that of Joan Rivers, who died in September following complications from an outpatient surgery.
Rivers, 81 at the time of her death, never won an Oscar, but was a staple on the red carpet and a legend in Hollywood. She also appeared in films including The Muppets Take Manhattan, Spaceballs, and The Smurfs.
People watching the Oscars from home were outraged by the perceived snub, and took to Twitter to vent their anger. They also took issue with the omission of comedienne Elaine Stritch.
In addition to the usual montage of pictures and names, the Oscars In Memoriam segment included a touching introduction from Meryl Streep, as well as a performance by Jennifer Hudson, who sang "I Can't Let Go" from Smash.
Joan Rivers should've been in that "In Memoriam" segment, @TheAcademy.
— Chris Harnick (@chrisharnick) February 23, 2015
Dear @TheAcademy : It was really shameful that you didn't include #JoanRivers in your "In Memoriam" tribute at the #Oscars. That was wrong.
— Kristine R. (@OneFilly02) February 23, 2015
#Oscars feels wrong w/out #JoanRivers. Bummed the Academy didn't include the red carpet queen during the In Memoriam.
— Matt Whitfield (@lifeontheMlist) February 23, 2015
As if the #Oscar2015 weren't lame enough, they left @ElaineStritch and @Joan_Rivers out of the "In Memoriam" reel?! #shameonyou
— Scott Nevins (@ScottNevins) February 23, 2015
Omitting Joan Rivers from that in memoriam was genuinely disrespectful.
— Melissa Radz (@melissaradz) February 23, 2015
I'm actually legitimately pissed that Joan Rivers was not a part of that In Memoriam. #Oscars2015
— Joshua (@Brood_Tweets_TV) February 23, 2015
Upsetting that Elaine Stritch and Joan Rivers were left out of in memoriam. #ctownoscars pic.twitter.com/5hposszMmL
— Greg Jacobs-Roseman (@GJRoseman) February 23, 2015
to repost what EVERYONE is posting no Joan Rivers no Elaine Stritch in memoriam. Scandal. #Oscars.
— Alison Franck (@AlisonFranck) February 23, 2015
Soo…Elaine Stritch and Joan Rivers didn't make the In Memoriam tonight? That's cool, that's cool. #onestepforward #tenstepsback
— Arpita Appannagari (@ArpiAppa) February 23, 2015
Hey In Memoriam ppl, why no video? Why no Joan Rivers? And WHY NO ELAINE STRITCH?!
— Rebecca Lando (@artfuse) February 23, 2015
I know I'm friends with the right people when my newsfeed is full of outrage that Joan Rivers & Elaine Stritch weren't included in Memoriam.
— Sean Patrick Doyle (@spdnyc) February 23, 2015
But the complete lack of Elaine Stritch in the In Memoriam section is a hate crime.
— Jonathan Karate (@jonvox) February 23, 2015
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