The 2025 Oscars delivered several memorable moments as one of the biggest nights of Hollywood. However, despite the massive award ceremony, the Academy failed significantly when it came to the ‘In Memoriam,’ which excluded several notable late actors, including Bernard Hill, who passed away nearly a year ago.
Hill made a lasting impact as an integral part of three Best Picture Oscar-winning movies. However, despite an illustrious career and contributions to some of cinema’s most celebrated films, his absence from the tribute has been a glaring omission.
The Oscars 2025 snubbed Bernard Hill from the In Memoriam segment
After presenting the night’s awards at the 2025 Oscars, the ceremony transitioned to the ‘In Memoriam’ segment, honoring several industry legends who passed away over the past year.
Among the honored names were Gene Hackman, James Earl Jones, David Lynch, Donald Sutherland, and Maggie Smith. However, a glaring snub in the tribute was The Lord of the Rings star Bernard Hill, whose absence has sparked significant backlash.
With a career spanning stage, television, and movies, the acclaimed actor had starred in several hits, including three Best Picture Oscar winners: Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and Gandhi. He passed away in May 2024 at the age of 79.
However, despite his contribution to some of the best movies and memorable roles, such as Captain Smith in James Cameron’s Titanic and beloved King Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, his omission from the In Memoriam reel has been a glaring oversight.
While the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment often draws criticism for its omissions, excluding Bernard Hill, despite his contributions to some of the most celebrated films in history, feels especially unjust. His absence is yet another example of the Academy overlooking key figures who shaped cinema.
The Academy faces backlash for Bernard Hill’s omission from the In Memoriam reel
The In Memoriam segment is one of the most emotional moments of Oscars night, paying tribute to those the industry has lost over the past year, not only actors but also the many individuals who have contributed significantly to cinema in various roles.
While the segment is often lengthy, it frequently sparks backlash for its omissions. And the industry once again opened itself to public backlash for leaving out some of the big names, such as Bernard Hill, despite his remarkable contributions to cinema through unforgettable roles in some of the most celebrated films of all time.
“Oscars are worthless,” The Middle-earth Mixer podcast remarked on X (Twitter), slamming the Academy for leaving the late actor out of the tribute. Others echoed similar sentiments, with one fan stating, “Their credibility is below zero.”
Again, Oscars are worthless https://t.co/lcnAHyU746
— The Middle-earth Mixer (@MiddleearthMixr) March 3, 2025
ARE YOU KIDDING?
He had 130 credits to his name, he was in films where he played directly across from Cruise and Eastwood and Halle Berry.
How the fuck did somebody fuck this up??
— Likes-To-Fight-Guy (@AngryJingoist) March 3, 2025
You’re talking about the same Oscars that favored Anora over Dune 2, The Substance and The BrutList and nominated Wicked 10 times.
Their credibility is below zero
— Rino (@RinoTheBouncer) March 4, 2025
Unbelievable. He was AMAZING in TLotR. They all gave great performances, but his was probably in the top five of the entire cast.
— Jake Dunnegan (@JakeDunnegan) March 4, 2025
Major roles in two Best Picture Oscars and no mention?
— Forest Garner (@garner_forest) March 3, 2025
Fans also pointed out that Hill played major roles in multiple Oscar-winning films, including Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, two of the most Oscar-awarded films in history. And yet he was still left out of one of the night’s most emotional segments.
Hill was not the only actor omitted from the tribute. Other notable figures who passed away over the past year and recently were also snubbed include Tony Todd, Michelle Trachtenberg, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Tony Roberts, and Olivia Hussey, among others.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
