Paul Sorvino's widow demands apology for leaving him out of Oscars In Memoriam segment

Paul Sorvino's widow demands apology for leaving him out of Oscars In Memoriam segment
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As is tradition, the Oscars aired an In Memoriam segment during Sunday's broadcast to honor the actors, directors, and other Hollywood creatives who died over the past year. Last night's clip, however, has come under fire for the numerous stars it neglected, including Tom SizemoreAnne Heche, Leslie Jordan, and Triangle of Sadness star Charlbi Dean. Also missing from the segment was Paul Sorvino, prompting his widow, Dee Dee Sorvino, to release a statement calling the actor's exclusion "unconscionable."

"Paul Sorvino was one of the greatest actors in cinematic history in Hollywood. It is unconscionable that he would be left out of the 'In Memoriam' segment of the Oscars," Dee Dee Sorvino said in a statement on Monday. "It's a three-hour show, they can't give a couple more minutes to get it right? Paul Sorvino gave decades to this industry and was loved by all."

Dee Dee also criticized the Academy's inclusion of a QR code that would lead viewers to a longer, more complete list. "Paul was not the only deserving soul left out, and a QR Code is not acceptable. The Academy needs to issue an apology, admit the mistake and do better."

Paul Sorvino and Dee Dee Sorvino attend Opening Of CMX CineBistro With Special Screenings Of BlacKkKlansman
Paul Sorvino and Dee Dee Sorvino attend Opening Of CMX CineBistro With Special Screenings Of BlacKkKlansman

Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The late Paul Sorvino with his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino.

A working character actor for decades, Paul was perhaps best known for his role as mafia boss Paulie Cicero in Martin Scorsese's iconic 1990 mafia movie Goodfellas. He also played a number of cinematic fathers over the years — including the father of Juliet (Claire Danes) in Romeo + Juliet, and the patriarch of The Goldbergs — and also fathered two children, Mira and Michael, who went on to become actors in their own right.

Mira also voiced her displeasure about her father's exclusion. "It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out," she posted to Twitter on Monday. "The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!!"

The tweet follows a nostalgic tribute the actress, who won an Oscar in 1995 for her performance in Woody Allen's 1995 film Mighty Aphrodite, posted on Sunday evening.

"On this Oscars night I am so happy for all of the nominees and the winners, but I am also moved in a thousand different ways when I think of the night I got to share my Academy Award with my Dad, the very great actor Paul Sorvino, who was never nominated," Mira wrote on Instagram alongside video of her victory, where she thanked her father for "teaching me everything I know about acting" in her acceptance speech.

Her post concluded, "On this first year after his passing it is truly a bittersweet but beautiful memory. I love you Dad, I miss you so much."

This article has been updated to include Mira Sorvino's Monday tweet.

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