Academy Gives Flimsy Excuse for Brad Renfro In Memoriam Snub
Never mind Cate Blanchett, P.T. Anderson or any other contenders who walked away empty-handed last night, the biggest snub of this year’s Oscar ceremony was, for many, the absence of Brad Renfro during the “In Memoriam” segment. This is the montage where the Academy pays tribute to all of the industry figures who died over the past year. Roy Scheider was omitted because he died after January 31st, 2008, and will no doubt be included among next year’s honourees. However, Renfro died one week before Heath Ledger, who was the final face included in this year’s montage. So why was Renfro nowhere to be seen?
As always, the good folks at TMZ took it upon themselves to stir the pot and attempt to dig up some dirt on this controversial situation. They approached the Academy and asked why Renfro was overlooked, only to receive this lame stock response: “It is simply not possible to include everyone in that segment.”
I suppose the implication here is that they didn’t think Renfro was a big enough name to warrant mention, but are we to believe that the average person is more familiar with the various agents, production designers and other Joe Industry professionals, than an actor who starred in such movies as Apt Pupil, The Client, Sleepers and Ghost World? He may not be the biggest star in the world, but he’s far from unknown. It now seems pretty obvious that they omitted him because of the circumstances surrounding his death (a heroin overdose)… but should that matter? I’m sure many other troubled actors have been recognized in the past. What do you think? Did Brad Renfro deserve to be included in the montage?
On a related note, Renfro’s final performance is in an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ The Informers. The movie is directed by Gregor Jordan (Buffalo Soldiers), and is currently in post-production.
Comments (15)
He should not have been snubbed! I didn’t even know he was snubbed but now that i know i am pretty angry, its just 1 picture for less than a second and they couldn’t even give him that! That sucks!
Posted by fizzle on February 25th, 2008So, we called this in the chat last night, eh?
The whole situation just reminds me once again that the Academy consists of a majority of rich, old, white men too busy basking in their 20th Century Fox-funded Ivory Towers to take the time to notice and acknowledge the more “offbeat” realms and talents of movieland.
Renfro devoted his life to moviemaking, did it well, and ascended to a certain level of fame. For any of these, he deserved to be commemorated with the others.
Posted by beane on February 25th, 2008Well the only reason you care is because you’re at a different point where this guy is somebody you know, right? I mean I’m sure tons of other people died in 2007 that weren’t on the list, but you’re not getting upset that those were snubbed. So maybe you’re too busy basking in your “offbeat” realms and talents of movieland to take the time to notice and acknowledge other things in the world.
Bottom line: You can’t have everyone up there.
Posted by Henrik on February 25th, 2008Yes, but as I stated in the post, he isn’t exactly unknown… his death was fairly big news in the showbiz world, and people expected to see his name up there. Sure there are plenty of other people who didn’t get mentioned, but what is the rationale for deciding?
Posted by Sean on February 25th, 2008I’m guessing Roy Scheider will be included next year, given how recently he passed away, right?
Posted by Jon Rocks on February 25th, 2008I don’t really care about montages in awards ceremonies especially the In memoriams. They never make them powerful enough for me to care and are forgotten. However I did enjoy “when bees attack” montage. They should to more of those unique movie cliches montages because I find them entertaining.
As for Renfro not in the In Memoriam, I wasn’t even looking for his name until everyone in the FilmJunk chat started talking about it. Does he deserve to be in it? Absolutely. But like Henrik said, you can’t have everyone up there. Although this years’ academy awards show ended at 8:48pm, 12 minutes well ahead of schedule and the Academy’s excuse is totally lame.
Posted by Primal on February 25th, 2008Exactly, Sean.
Posted by beane on February 26th, 2008The word “offbeat” is in quotations because Renfro’s career was not. But because of the circumstances surrounding his death and even perhaps because of some of his arthouse roles, the Academy may have put him in that category.
Guess my writer’s wit has gone as unappreciated as his career.
The academy gave Eminem and an american Idol contestant an award…they are worthless. They don’t even try to honor comedy, horror, or sci-fi. Sorry if I think that an institution that gives an award to the 3-6-mafia (who?) BEFORE Martin Scorsese (different category, still same point.) bullshit.
Posted by Bob The Slob on February 26th, 2008Yeah, they should have not given out any awards untill they thought Martin Scorsese deserved one, then they should have started giving out awards again. Whatever. While 3-6 Mafias music is indeed horrendous bullshit, alot of Martin Scorseses films are pretty bad as well. So it evens out.
The Oscars get it right 1/5 times or so (for everyone, I think this rate is the rate that the Oscars will usually reflect anybodys personal opinion), but I think the show is way more entertaining than people give it credit for.
Posted by Henrik on February 26th, 2008It’s pretty shitty not to include someone because they died of a heroin overdose whilst including someone who died of an overdose of benzos and pain pills. Because you know, drugs that doctors prescribe which are used incorrectly are so much more classy than that nasty heroin.
Posted by Less Lee on February 26th, 2008Henrik, I wasnt saying Scorsese is god…I was just trying to note the crime of giving out undeserved oscars when there are others that deserve that 1,000 more. I doubt you would argue that Marty having a statue is better then some fluke-famous teeny bopper chick from the sell-out, horrendously vile stages of American Idol.
Posted by Bob The Slob on February 26th, 2008Well, that depends on who directs the better film. For me at least.
Posted by Henrik on February 27th, 2008As if the pain of losing my very talented, beloved family member wasn’t tragic and heartbreaking enough, his blatant exclusion from the Oscars tribute was sickening. Brad was in 26 films in his brief 25 years in the film industry and he was extremely dedicated to his craft. He loved acting and did not seek stardom.
We are used to the negative press regarding his “troubled past” and his mistakes, which by the way, he never blamed Hollywood nor anything/anyone else for causing.
The Oscars tribute was about actors’accomplishments, not their shortcomings in their private lives and to exclude him for his contributions to film and to be so disrespectful so very soon after his death was very low class and cold.
His family, friends and fans, as well as many people in the business will never forget him and we will forever feel blessed to have known, loved and been entertained by his incredible, God given talent.
Rest in Peace, sweet boy- We love you and miss you and your JoJo each and every day.
Posted by knxtn on February 2nd, 2009“As if the pain of losing my very talented, beloved family member wasn’t tragic and heartbreaking enough, his blatant exclusion from the Oscars tribute was sickening”
How were you related?
“We love you and miss you and your JoJo”
What is a jojo? Do I wanna know?
Posted by Drew on February 2nd, 2009Brad is my nephew. His father, Mark Renfro, is my brother-in-law.
JoJo, Joanne Barron Renfro, was Brad’s grandmother, Mark’s mother, who Brad referred to and thought of as “Mom”. She passed away 2 weeks after Brad.
Needless to say, we have had our share of loss and grief, especially Mark.
Posted by knxtn on February 2nd, 2009Leave a Reply