The 96th Annual Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday night, has come under fire for snubbing several prominent actors and Hollywood talents who passed away over the past year in its In Memoriam segment. Among those notably absent from the tribute were Euphoria star Angus Cloud, John Wick actor Lance Reddick, and Dragon Ball Z creator Akira Toriyama.
While the In Memoriam segment included the late Friends star Matthew Perry and Exorcist director William Freidkin, the omission of Cloud, Reddick, and Toriyama sparked outrage among viewers. "I think Angus Cloud from Euphoria was missing from the 'in memory,'" one Oscars viewer tweeted on Sunday night. "RIP Angus Cloud because [Oscars] don't give a f--- about him."
Angus Cloud, 25, passed away in July 2023 following an accidental drug overdose. The actor's portrayal of Fezco in Euphoria was widely acclaimed and considered a significant factor in the show's success. Despite misleading reports suggesting otherwise, Cloud's family has maintained that he did not commit suicide and had been struggling with substance abuse for several years.
Lance Reddick, 60, known for his roles in the John Wick franchise and The Wire, passed away in March 2023 following a battle with heart disease. Akira Toriyama, 68, the creator of the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z anime and manga series, passed away on March 1, 2024, after suffering a blood clot in his brain.
Viewers also expressed disappointment over the presentation of the In Memoriam segment, which featured Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing his famous Por Ti Volare alongside his son Matteo, accompanied by a fleet of dancers on the Oscars stage. The names of those being remembered were listed in the background, with dozens of names appearing at once toward the end of the segment.
"The [Oscars] really needs to fix the In Memoriam," one viewer tweeted. "No one cares about the singers and the dancers, we want to be able to see and read the names and faces on the freaking screen." Another agreed, stating, "This memoriam is extremely distracting with all of the dancers. And you can barely read the names."
Some viewers noted that while Reddick and Treat Williams were included in a brief collective slide at the end of the segment, Cloud's name was omitted altogether. This has led to speculation that the decision to exclude certain figures may have been influenced by their primary involvement in television rather than film, as the Oscars tend to focus on honoring those who have made significant contributions to the movie industry.
The omission of Angus Cloud, in particular, has sparked a passionate response from his fans, who believe the actor deserved to be honored for his impactful performance in Euphoria. Many have taken to social media to express their disappointment and share impromptu tributes to the late actor.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the In Memoriam segment, the 96th Annual Academy Awards faced criticism for other aspects of the show, including a skit featuring a naked John Cena presenting an award and host Jimmy Kimmel's mocking of former President Donald Trump's harsh review of the event on Truth Social.
As the dust settles on this year's Oscars, the backlash over the In Memoriam segment serves as a reminder of the importance of properly honoring and remembering the lives and contributions of those lost within the entertainment industry. While the Academy's decision-making process remains unclear, the outpouring of love and support for Angus Cloud, Lance Reddick, Akira Toriyama, and others highlights the lasting impact they have had on their fans and the world of entertainment as a whole.
