It makes me sad that Brad Renfro was not included in the Oscar "Tribute"

[ScreamingMeemie]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/26/arts/NA-A-E-MOV-US-Oscars-Memoriam-Renfro.php

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

The troubled 25-year-old 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.

-snip

How sad it must be for his family, and those who knew and loved him. For what it is worth, I don't believe Ms. Unger's excuses. I mean they included agents and studio execs. They've included character actors and child stars in the past. It ruined the show for me.