Oscar "In Memoriam" Segment Draws Criticism

The Academy Awards telecast's "In Memoriam" segment omitted several notable entertainment industry figures who died in the past year, leading to criticism from some viewers. The segment, intended to honor those lost, faced scrutiny for its perceived oversights.

Notable Omissions

This year, the telecast did not include American figures such as James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, and Tom Noonan.

Brigitte Bardot's Absence Sparks Debate in France

In France, the absence of film icon Brigitte Bardot, who died in December at 91, generated significant debate in media and on social media. Bardot was a global star known for films such as "And God Created Woman," "The Truth," and "Contempt."

A Controversial Legacy

Following the end of her film career in the mid-1970s, Bardot became known in France for her extreme right-wing political views. Her omission drew comparisons to the 2025 Oscars, where Alain Delon was also not included. Delon, a significant film and pop culture figure from the 1960s and 1970s, similarly became associated with extremist politics in his later years.

The Academy did not provide specific reasons for Bardot's absence from the telecast. It is worth noting, however, that Brigitte Bardot was listed on the Academy's official website, which featured a more comprehensive "In Memoriam" section.

Media Reactions: France Divided

Most French entertainment media expressed surprise at Bardot's exclusion, citing her film legacy, but were largely reluctant to address her politics as a potential reason for the omission from the telecast.

Paris Match described her absence as "unforgivable," highlighting her impact on film history and the sexual revolution. Closer magazine noted that Bardot's absence "quickly drew reactions from film industry observers" without explicitly mentioning politics. RTL questioned the selection process for the "In Memoriam" segment, stating that the Oscars rules do not specify details for this moment. Premiere magazine called her absence "regrettable," and 20 Minutes acknowledged Bardot's controversial nature but emphasized her cultural influence.

The Political Angle: A Growing Consensus

On social media and hard news sites, a consensus emerged suggesting that the political views of both Bardot and Delon might have influenced their exclusion.

Euronews specifically mentioned Bardot's extreme politics as a possible reason. The publication noted her close affiliation with France’s National Front party (now National Rally), documented racist comments, and anti-immigration stance, leading to five convictions in French courts for inciting racial hatred. Bardot actively campaigned for far-right candidates and frequently spoke against the "Islamisation" of France. Her 2003 book, "A Cry in the Silence," criticized Muslims, homosexuals, drug abusers, female politicians, illegal immigrants, and the unemployed.

Le Figaro, a center-right French newspaper, also raised politics as a potential reason for Bardot's snub, recalling that images of Bardot at the Cesar awards were met with boos and shouts of "racist!"

The popular classic film account DepressedBergman on X explicitly linked the omissions to their politics:

"I assume they were excluded because of their politics, but the job of the Academy is to remember them for their contributions to Cinema. Their political opinions shouldn’t come into consideration here."