Brad Renfro Cut From Oscar Montage Of Those Who Died

LOS ANGELES — Blogs were buzzing with discussion of why Brad Renfro was left out of the Academy Awards tribute to Hollywood figures who died in the past year.

The troubled 25-year-old actor died Jan. 15 of a heroin and morphine overdose. Heath Ledger, killed by an overdose of prescription drugs one week later, appeared in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain" at the conclusion of the three-minute video tribute at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony.

"Unfortunately we cannot include everyone," said Leslie Unger, spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. "Our goal is to honor individuals who worked in the many professions and trades of the motion picture industry, not just actors."

Hilary Swank introduced the Oscar segment, which featured 43 people including makeup artists, a stuntman and several Hollywood agents. Unger said it was not required that those honored be members of the Academy or past Oscar nominees.

USA Today blogger Whitney Matheson headlined a post Monday, "Why was Brad snubbed last night?" and Perez Hilton posted a mug shot of Renfro with the words "Oscar Snub."

TMZ speculated Renfro was not "feel-good enough" for Oscar, but public comments left on the site also pointed out that in contrast to Ledger, "Renfro wasn't a big enough star."

Unger shook off the suggestion that Renfro wasn't included because of his history with drugs. "I can't speak to what other people are going to think," Unger said. "We can't include everybody."

Renfro was most well-known for his title role in 1993's "The Client," and had his last major roles more than a decade ago. He had appeared in smaller parts in recent years.

Oscar-nominated "Jaws" star Roy Scheider also was not included. His death on Feb. 10 fell outside the time frame of the tribute video, which covered Feb. 1, 2007 to Jan. 31, 2008.

Comments

[SILVANUS]

And we had to listen to Bill Conti replay his 1978 theme for "Slow Dancing in the Big City" which was related to nothing in the show. Maybe he gave the Academy cheap re-use rights on his theme since he was designated conductor. Alas, and the stage designs were total Hollywood-tacky. What is this show about anymore, anyway?

[timinhi]

Regardless of what you think about this, it is a misrepresentation to suggest that he was "cut" from the montage. To have been "cut" he would have had to have been included in the first place. By the way, his claim to fame, "The Client," wasn't even the best of the adapted Grisham novel films, let alone a good movie in its own right. For better or worse, he was a D-list actor with a very short resume'. Should that qualify him with an Oscar Show mention, just in order to make his family happy?

[Blutus]

Who in the name of god cares??

[nuglet304]

uh, how about his family and fans? show a little decency.

[YellowPanties]

Lots of people care, shmanky. If you don't care, why are you reading this article?

Brad Renfro was excellent in "Bully" and "Apt Pupil" among other films, and should have been included instead of the non-crew persons they showed.

RIP, Brad.

[strifeknot]

The significantly more talented and accomplished Edward Yang went unmentioned, too.

[MissingAmerica]

"... Not just actors"? That is lame and disrespectful. Brad Renfro was a talented and troubled young man who left us too soon. He was an actor, his work is displayed in Hollywood, and he deserved to be honored with his peers. The Academy owes his family an apology, not an excuse. Roy Schieder will be honored next year, as his death fell outside their timeline. Perhaps next year they should set aside the timeline for a moment, and take an opportunity to pay respect to a Hollywood actor who paid his dues.

[auramac]

He should get together with Whoopi and raise hell!

[CrazyLiberal]

The Oscars are a mess. No wonder it hit an all time low in viewership.

They should get their act together. (Pun intended)

[TishTheFish]

It was a stupid move on the part of the producers to leave out Renfro. It was noticed and it stunk.

[PeteBogs]

insult to injury...

[Portnoy]

Who is Brad Renfro?

[DMSmith]

It's simple. If you are going to list and honor those who died, you honor them all. Period.

Whoever did this montage should be fired, and an apology issued.

Simple.

[mijumom]

It sucks that he was a child actor who basically succumbed to all of the trappings and they couldn't even give him a second of acknowledgment. It is a cruel business. They pretty much used him up and spit him out.

[Ginzaman]

So what's the real reason for this?:

Renfro was doing heroin and other hard drugs. But no on ever saw Ledger do these. So in Academy logic that means that Ledger's way cooler than Renfro?

Looks like it's more of a massive case of cover-my-ass in case I'm called in a grand jury investigation. When Belushi died back in the 80's, both Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro were called in front of one.

So you can be a person of color. But if you're a drug addict or (God Forbid)gay or lesbian Hollywood will know who and what you are. They'll make money off you and with you. But remember, you're second class.

[cufford]

"...an editing DECISION..­." but "...no specific reason."

Huh?

A decision is based upon a reason.

Obviously, they're trying to spin this as nothing, when it was obviously a decision that was discussed by the group of editors working on the segment, and a decision that was reached.

As for why, it's anyone's guess, though it does seem a tad like a snub, and I'm sure Renfro's family and friends feel that way. Too bad.

If you're going to include Ledger, who I believe was no more of a proven actor than Renfro (his Joker role hasn't even been released yet) I think Renfro should have been there too, considering the close timing of the two deaths, and nearly equal public attention they both got.

It just doesn't feel right to me. But it's not my call either.

[sarasotajeff]

there was nothing equal about the careers, talent or attention to the deaths of Ledger and Renfro... That does not, however, mean we believe Renfro should have been omitted from the memorial. That was just wrong.

[craigmart]

Yep, that extra 2 seconds would have made the show run too long.

[ErnestineBass]

BINGO!!!