Friends star Michael Rapaport has called for Oscar bosses to be fired over their decision to leave out several high-profile stars from his “In Memoriam” segment at Sunday’s ceremony.
Rapaport took to Instagram to criticize the ‘politically correct’ Academy for failing to celebrate actors Paul Sorvino, Tom Sizemore, Anne Heche, Leslie Jordan and William Hurt.
The tirade was shared by Heche’s ex-husband, who said the “incredible actress”, known for her roles in Ally McBeal and Psycho, deserved a mention.
It comes after the Academy released a statement saying it received “hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues” in its “In Memoriam” segment.
Rapaport told his 2.1 million Instagrammers followers on Monday: ‘Whoever produced the Academy Awards should be fired.
Michael Rapaport told his 2.1 million Instagram followers that “someone should be fired” over the decision to snub Anne Heche and Paul Sorvino from the Oscars “In Memoriam” segment.
‘I’m sorry. Last night’s In Memoriam at the Academy Awards, you forgot to name, greet, celebrate Paul Sorvino, Pauly from Goodfellas, you didn’t scream.
‘Paul Sorvino who passed away. Tom Sizemore, who has just passed away. Anne Heche, Leslie Jordan. William Hurt.
He continued: ‘You’re so concerned with being politically correct that you forgot. How do you forget those five people? That’s five people that I know of. Five people: stars, important people, beloved actors who devote their entire lives to show business.
They die and do not even receive a greeting, a greeting in the In Memoriam.
He signed the video saying ‘someone needs to be fired’.
Rapaport also spoke about it on his vlog and podcast.
The clip was shared by Heche’s ex-husband, Coley Laffoon, who shares two children with the late star.
Separately, he wrote on Facebook: “Anne was an incredible actress and an incandescent artistic spirit.
“It’s a shame he didn’t get the recognition he deserves for lighting up the screen as spectacularly and successfully as he did.
‘It is a pleasure to remember your work at this time.’
Heche died in a flaming car accident last August when she was 53 years old.
He had traces of cocaine and fentanyl in his system.
Anne Heche died in a ferocious car accident last August when she was 53 years old. She is best known for her roles in Ally McBeal and Psycho.
Leslie Jordan (left) was also dropped from the list. She died in a car accident in October, while Goodfellas star Paul Sorvino also failed to make the cut.
The annual in memoriam segment was hosted by John Travolta, who broke down in tears at the mention of his late Grease co-star Olivia Newton-John before Lenny Kravitz began singing Calling All Angels as the slideshow played.
But relatives of the snubbed stars were quick to express their outrage over the slideshow.
Mira Sorvino yesterday called the decision not to celebrate her father Paul in the segment “disconcerting beyond belief.”
“Incredibly hurt and shocked that my father’s enormous, irreplaceable, and lifetime contribution to the world of cinema was overlooked by whoever made that list,” she wrote on Instagram.
“We, his adoring family, and you, his adoring audience, know how unique and incredible he was.”
But the bosses responded to the criticism in a statement released yesterday.
“The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include their loved ones and industry colleagues in the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars,” it read.
‘An executive committee representing each branch considers the list and makes selections for broadcast based on limited time available.
‘All presentations are included in A.frame and will remain on the site throughout the year.’
However, the board has listed Sizemore, Jordan, Hurt and Therefore in its In Memoriam section on its website, even though they didn’t make it to the big screen.
Saving Private Ryan star Sizemore died last week after a brain aneurysm. He was 61 years old.
Will and Grace star Leslie Jordan, 67, famous for her petite 4-foot-11 stature, died of a sudden heart attack that caused her to crash her car in October.
William Hurt, who was nominated for an Academy Award four times in his lifetime, died of natural causes last March at age 71.
Tom Sizemore died last week after a brain aneurysm, aged 61.
Charlbi Dean was also not included in the segment despite the fact that her movie Triangle of Sadness was nominated for Best Picture.
Also missing from the list The actress of the Triangle of Sadness, Charlbi Dean.
The 32-year-old woman died last August of bacterial sepsis related to the removal of her spleen in 2009 following a car accident.
Viewers were particularly outraged by his omission from the list due to his breakout role in Triangle of Sadness, which was nominated for Best Picture.
It’s not the first time Oscar bosses have come under fire for missing key names from their In Memoriam segment.
At last year’s ceremony, viewers were disappointed to see Full House comedian Bob Saget removed from the ‘In Memoriam’ list, along with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actress Sally Ann Howes.