Sunday’s 97th Academy Awards “in memoriam” segment noticeably excluded “Gossip Girl” star Michelle Trachtenberg despite her shocking death just days before the ceremony.
Reports of the 39-year-old’s death Feb. 26 sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Trachtenberg was found unresponsive by her mother not long after she underwent a liver transplant. Her family opted not to conduct an autopsy into her exact cause of death. The actress left a lasting impact on the industry with memorable roles in “Harriet the Spy,” “17 Again,” “EuroTrip” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Following her passing, she was publicly honored by fellow stars Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ed Westwick, and Blake Lively. But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences failed to make mention of her Sunday evening.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 31: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg arrives at the premiere of Lifetime’s “Sister Cities” at Paramount Theatre on August 31, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage) Getty Images
Legendary actor Morgan Freeman introduced the “in memoriam” segment of the awards show with a touching tribute to his friend and fellow star, Gene Hackman. The deaths of Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, David Lynch, and many others flashed across the big screen.
Social media erupted with outrage when the clip ended without honoring Trachtenberg.
“Michelle Trachtenberg deserved her flowers!!! #Oscars that’s so sad,” one internet user wrote.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 05: Shannen Doherty poses for a portrait in the Getty Images & People Magazine Portrait Studio at Hallmark Channel and American Humanes 2019 Hero Dog Awards at the Beverly Hilton on October 05, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Hallmark Channel )
“Michelle Trachtenberg deserved to be shown and remembered in that Oscar’s in memoriam. That was actually so disrespectful and bullshit @TheAcademy what the fuck,” another person wrote.
Trachtenberg wasn’t the only star to be left out of the tributes. (RELATED: ‘Gossip Girl’ Star Michelle Trachtenberg Dead At 39: REPORT)
CHERRY HILL, NJ – MARCH 10: Tony Todd attends the 2018 Monster Mania Con at NJ Crowne Plaza Hotel on March 10, 2018 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Olivia Hussey, Bernard Hill, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Tony Roberts, Shannen Doherty, and “Candyman” star Tony Todd were also left off the list.
The Academy has not issued public comment about the missing tributes as of Monday morning.
