The 2020 Oscars In Memoriam Omitted One Notable TV Star

On Sunday, Feb. 9, the 2020 Oscars in Memoriam honored all the film industry professionals who passed away in 2019. Chief among them was Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash on the same day as the Grammys — Jan. 26 — along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others. Also remembered on Sunday night during the Academy Awards telecast were Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, and Peter Fonda, among others. One notable oversight was the late Luke Perry, who passed away in March of last year.

Bryant was the first celebrity to appear in the memoriam, where he was featured alongside his quote, "Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going." While there was some discussion as to whether Bryant would appear in the Academy Awards tribute, producer Stephanie Allain confirmed his inclusion earlier in the week to Entertainment Tonight.

"I think what’s really appropriate is that Kobe was part of the film community, and as such, he will be embraced within the In Memoriam segment," she said. (Bryant won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for Dear Basketball).

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell performed a cover of The Beatles’ classic "Yesterday" as the In Memoriam song. "I’m just looking forward to it, because I’m excited to represent these people that have passed this year," Eilish told The Academy red carpet hosts Sydney Park and Louis Virtel. "I really want it to be about the people that we’re respecting right now and talking about and grieving and celebrating."

More to come…

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