TheAcademy Awardspaid tribute to the actors, actresses, icons and industry stalwarts that havedied in 2019and earlier this year.
Steven Spielbergintroduced the in memoriam segment of Sunday’s Oscars ceremony, saying, “This evening, as we celebrate the artistic highlights of the past year, we also pause to remember those from our community who we lost. Legends and icons, our friends and fellow artists. All who inspired and touched us.”
Steven Spielberg.Kevin Winter/Getty
The tribute started off with a mention ofKobe Bryantbefore honoring stars such asRip Torn, Diahann Carroll, Catherine Burns, Danny Aiello ,Robert Forster, Machiko Kyo, Anna Karina, Fernando Luján,Andre Previn,Peter Mayhew,Sylvia Miles,Godfrey Gao,Doris Day, Seymour Cassel,Peter Fonda,John SingletonandKirk Douglas— who died on Wednesday at the age of 103.
However, some of those we have lost over the last 12 months were not included.
Luke Perry, who starred inOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywoodand passed away in March 2019, was noticeably absent from the in memoriam footage.
Cameron Boyce, who was predominantly a television action but had a number of film credits to his name, was also not mentioned. Boyce died in July at the age of 20.
Kevin Winter/Getty
Other stars who passed away in the past 12 months — but were not included in the tribute — includeJan-Michael Vincent,Michael J. PollardandTim Conway.
“To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.”
Michael continued, “But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great-grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband.”
Kirk Douglas.Nancy R. Schiff/Getty Images
“Kirk’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet,” Michael added. “Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son.”
Bryant, who was the first to appear in the tribute, passed away Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash. The incident also took the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people:John Altobelli, 56,Sarah Chester, 46,Payton Chester, 13, Alyssa Altobelli, 14, Keri Altobelli, 46,Christina Mauser, 38, and pilotAra Zobayan, 50.
The athlete took home an Oscar in 2018 for Best Animated Short for his sweet filmDear Basketball, based on a poem he wrote about the sport when announcing his retirement in 2015. Bryant worked with animator Glen Keane to bring the short story to life, which Bryant also narrated.
In his short and sweet Oscars speech, Bryant thanked his wife and daughters with a sweet message in Italian.
ABC
“To my wife Vanessa and our daughters Natalia, Gianna and Bianka, ti amo con tutto il cuore [I love you with all my heart]. You are my inspiration,” he said.
source: people.com
