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Actress/Cancer Fighter Farrah Fawcett Snubbed at Oscars

By Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger
 
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Actress and icon Farrah Fawcett, who showed the reality of cancer treatment to millions, was left out of the In Memoriam segment at the 2010 Academy Awards.The snub was deliberate.

Among the first to notice was film critic and cancer survivor Roger Ebert. "No Farrah in the memorial," he tweeted. "They have a lot of 'splaining to do."

Fawcett died at the age of 62 after a three-year struggle with anal cancer. Known as a sex symbol for most of her career, she also left a lasting legacy for cancer patients by allowing cameras to document her treatment for “Farrah’s Story.” The brutally transparent documentary drew 9 million viewers.

Actor Ryan O’Neal, father of Fawcett’s son, said the omission left him stunned and shocked. "It was a terrible decision and very hurtful," O'Neal told Radar Online. "Farrah was a member of the Academy for over 40 years and we could not believe she did not get a mention." O’Neal, a leukemia survivor, said he intended to ask the Academy for an explanation.

"I think this is what Farrah struggled with her entire career," said Craig Nevius, Fawcett's close friend and Farrah's Story producer. He told E!Online, "She struggled with respect and told me many times she felt she was put in a box. She loved television, and she was primarily a star on TV, but she was also a star on stage and film. You know, how you can discount Extremities (Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama), The Apostle (Independent Spirit nomination for Best Supporting Actress) and Dr. T and the Women, I don't know.”

Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger said, "In any given year there will always be some people that other people think should have been included and that there's more justification for one person versus another." "It is impossible to include everybody." The executive director of the film academy said Fawcett wasn't included because she was better known as a TV star.

Fawcett died on June 25, 2009. Her death was overshadowed by media coverage of the death of Michael Jackson, known primarily for his work in the music industry. Jackson was included in the In Memoriam segment of the 2010 Oscars.

What do YOU think?
Should Farrah Fawcett have been recognized during the 2010 Oscars?

Resources:

Farah Fawcett Movies: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000396/

Biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrah_Fawcett
http://www.biography.com/articles/Farrah-Fawcett-9542358

Farah’s Cancer Battle Brings Attention to Rare Illness
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/09/anal.cancer.fawcett/index.html

Farah Fawcett’s Death Spotlights Rare Cancer Type - http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/06/25/farrah-fawcetts-death-spotlights-rare-cancer-type/tab/article/

FAQ: Anal Cancer http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20090406/faq-farrah-fawcett-fights-anal-cancer

9 million tune in for NBC special on Fawcett's cancer fight, 'Farrah's Story'
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/05/17/2009-05-17_9_million_view_farrahs_tale_of_cancer_fight.html#ixzz0hhrvTdcI

About the author: Pat Elliott is a journalist and blogger who has written about health issues for more than 20 years. She is also a cancer survivor who coaches people on how to manage their transition and take control of their new future.

Add a Comment18 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to HealingMindN)

Very nicely phrased.

March 11, 2010 - 4:33pm

Where is the common sense, people? Can someone tell me: "WHAT DOES MICHAEL JACKSON HAVE TO DO WITH FARRAH FAWCETT'S EXCLUSION FROM THE OSCARS?" Maybe he died on purpose - leaving his children - just so this could happen?! EmpowHER, you should be ashamed to feed into this! I thought you were better than that? Am I wrong? For the record, I like Farrah Fawcett and always have. I feel she should have been added in the Memorium, but for you to add that little ditty about Jackson's death overshadowing hers (which, it did) - was unnecessary. You are using the death of two talented personalities to "up" your readership - and I find that repugnant. If I want such feelings I'll listen to Howard Stern.

You should hang your head in shame...and I will soon unsubcribe to your newsletter if you don't soon raise the bar.

March 11, 2010 - 11:53am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Taken a deep breath and relax...Farrah is not getting spastic over this ommission and neither should anyone else.Use that energy and focus on healing and love....Strength and Peace To All

March 11, 2010 - 11:18am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Why is Michael Jackson’s inclusion in the Oscar’s In Memoriam, a reason for Farrah’s exclusion? Farrah should certainly have been included, but can anyone not see that it's highly illogical to suggest this is somehow Michael Jackson’s fault. This is just another media created story to tag Michael's Jackson's name into some sort of cheap 'face-off' with Farrah, to garner hits and comments. While the press are falling over themselves to cover this 'debate' - where were they when British journalist Charles Thomson's interview with Jennifer Batten story broke? For those that don't know: Jennifer Batten, Jackson's long-standing guitarist who was present on all three of Jackson's solo tours, went on record to refute Gene Simmons's recent accusations about Michael Jackson's alleged misconduct on tour - as being totally false.

This story was effectively silenced by the press. For those that don't like having their access to information manipulated and denied, please go to:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-thomson/michael-jackson-its-time_b_482176.html

- and read a real story.

March 11, 2010 - 11:16am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I noticed she was omitted right away.
This saddens me greatly.

March 11, 2010 - 11:01am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

ABSOLUTELY!!! The response from Leslie "pole up her butt" academy woman makes the whole thing even more repulsive. I just want to say to her, "Are you stupid?" " You do realize you included Michael Jackson ... seeing as he has been in sooooooo many movies." Oh, and time? It would have taken soooo much longer to add one more 5 sec. fade in-and-out. I have lost a lot of respect for the Academy, and think whomever was ultimately responsible should apologize... or at least admit to what an asinine mistake/error it was. I am not a Farrah cheerleader, I just can't stand pettiness, stupidity and completely ridiculous explanations for that pettiness and stupidity. Bad form people, bad form!

March 10, 2010 - 9:06pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

The snub of Farrah Fawcett by the Academy Award show is inexcusable. Michael Jackson was a musician who made only one movie, so this falsifies the claim that Farrah was not mentioned because she was primarily a TV star instead of a movie star. She made at least five movies that I know about.

March 10, 2010 - 8:01pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Michael Jackson did not make one movie. He starred in the (mostly forgettable) The Wiz with Diana Ross, and his Thriller video is viewed by experts as a short reel. I understand your hurt, but seriously, are people now blaming Michael for Farrah's snub at the Oscars? Get off Michael, will you? I'm SURE he didn't ask the Academy to snub Farrett. I'm no big Michael fan, but let's place the blame where it belongs.

March 11, 2010 - 11:46am
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