Joan Rivers Left Out of Academy Awards ‘In Memoriam’ Segment

Elaine Stritch was also left out as well.

Some came to question why Joan Rivers was snubbed at the Oscars on Sunday.  The well known Rivers was left out of the ‘In Memoriam’ segment that was presented by Meryl Streep at the 87th Academy Awards.

The late comediennes’ name was not mentioned during Sunday’s segment, which honored those in the entertainment industry that passed away in the last year.  Rivers died last September at the age of 81.  Screen legend Elaine Stritch was also left out of the annual tribute to members of the Hollywood community that have passed away within the last year.
 
“Joan Rivers is among the many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to feature in the ‘In Memoriam’ segment of this year’s Oscar show,” a rep for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said.

The rep also noted that Rivers “is, however, included in our ‘In Memoriam’ gallery on Oscar.com.”

This year’s tribute included legends such as Robin Williams, Mickey Rooney and Mike Nichols, as well as executives, writers and members of the production community who were not household names.

On Monday’s episode of ‘The View,’ past Oscar host Whoopi Goldberg expressed her displeasure over the fact Rivers and Stritch were left out of the Memoriam segment.

“It’s the last hoorah and … it doesn’t matter how many actors it is, or directors or producers or wardrobe people. Name them all. This is their moment,” Goldberg said. “Everybody can stand to allow these folks, who have spent a lifetime in our industry, to be recognized.”

“They left folks out last year as well. Perhaps you want to re-think it because it’s the last time, the last time, we can applaud these people,” she added.