Why Were Adam West And Glen Campbell Left Out Of The Oscars "In Memoriam" Tribute?

Hey there, let’s talk about something that had a lot of people scratching their heads after the 90th Academy Awards aired on Sunday, March 4. You know that heartfelt "In Memoriam" segment where they honor those we’ve lost in the world of entertainment? Well, guess what? Two legends—Adam West and Glen Campbell—didn’t make the cut. That’s right, folks. The "Batman" star and the legendary crooner were left out of the emotional video montage that featured 48 stars who passed away over the last year. Can you believe it?

Now, understandably, fans of these late icons were not having it. They were not just upset—they were downright outraged. One Twitter user summed it up perfectly: "Absolutely outrageous that the #Oscars missed Adam West in their 'In Memoriam' section. He redefined Batman, headlined the first Batman film, and was a film star before that. He truly deserved to be there!" And it’s not just Adam we’re talking about. Glen Campbell, with his soulful voice and timeless hits, was also absent from the tribute. What’s more, it turns out they weren’t the only ones missing. Several other notable figures were left out as well.

Social media was abuzz with reactions. One user shared a black-and-white photo of Della Reese, captioning it, "Since the #Oscars forgot Della Reese in their 'In Memoriam' segment, I will include her." Another pointed out, "You omitted Dorothy Malone from your 'In Memoriam'—OSCAR WINNER Dorothy Malone… I have no words." The list of those left out goes on: actors Powers Boothe, John Mahoney, Bill Paxton, Miguel Ferrer, Robert Guillaume, Jim Nabors, and Rose Marie, as well as director Tobe Hooper. It’s quite a roster of talent, and their absence left a noticeable void in the segment.

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Why Were So Many Legends Left Out?

Here’s the thing: according to a recent Vanity Fair article, The Academy had a monumental task on their hands. They had to create a three-to-four minute "In Memoriam" video that would only feature 40 to 45 names out of a staggering list of nearly 800 people who passed away in the last year. Yeah, you heard that right—800 people. So how do you choose who makes the cut? It’s all about status, according to an Academy source. "It’s impossible to be fair. You try, every year, to add in a certain number of editors and art directors. It’s about a person’s prominence in their field, and you don’t want to just go with the movie stars or the big-time directors," the source explained.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

This situation raises some interesting questions about how tributes like this should be handled. Should there be a way to honor everyone who contributed to the entertainment industry? Or is it simply impossible to fit everyone into a short segment? It’s a tough call, and one that the Academy faces every year. In the meantime, fans of these beloved figures will continue to honor their legacies in their own way, whether it’s through social media tributes or simply revisiting their work.