Last year, on October 2023, Suzanne Somers, the beloved actress, passed away at the age of 76, just a day before her 77th birthday. Her untimely death left countless fans devastated, eagerly awaiting her recognition at the 2024 Oscars’ in-memoriam presentation. However, many were disappointed with the limited attention given to the iconic actress. Let’s dive into what her family had to say about this perceived snub.
During the in-memoriam segment, an opportunity to honor Hollywood’s lost stars from the previous year, Somers’ name appeared only in small font on the last slide of the segment, alongside many others. She was not highlighted as one of the main artists, whose pictures were showcased alongside their names.
Somers had an extraordinary career, rising to fame for her role in the beloved sitcom “Three’s Company.” However, her legacy extends far beyond that. She battled melanoma in 2000 and later faced multiple bouts with breast cancer. Sadly, in the summer of 2023, her cancer returned, leading to her passing that October.
Furthermore, Suzanne Somers made notable appearances in shows such as “Starsky and Hutch” and “Hollywood Wives.” Her film roles included performances in “American Graffiti,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Say It Isn’t So,” and many more.
Suzanne was not the only Hollywood legend overlooked by the Academy in their tribute. Actors Lance Reddick, Treat Williams, Ron Cephas Jones, and Burt Young, as well as screenwriter Norman Lear and British filmmaker Terence Davies, were also seemingly excluded from the remembrance.
However, Somers’ widower, Alan Hamel, expressed his lack of concern regarding this oversight. He stated to the media, “Last time I checked, we still had a First Amendment. I respect the Academy’s decision to not include Suzanne in memoriam. Frankly, the outpouring from millions of her fans was the kind of in memoriam Suzanne would have lovingly embraced.”
Hamel continued, “She adored and respected her fans and similarly enjoyed a beautiful relationship with the Media and Paparazzi who elevated her career to heights rarely seen. She made her debut on Carson in 1973 with her first of 27 books and remained active and relevant until her passing. God bless Suzanne Somers.”
