The Academy Awards’ presented it’s annual montage honoring those in the industry who died over the past year (from February 1, 2007, to January 31, 2008). In a somewhat stunning omission, actor Brad Renfro was conspicuously absent from the short memoriam film.
Renfro, the late star of films like The Client and Ghost World, died from an accidental heroin overdose at the age of 25, on January 15th 2008. Heath Ledger, who died on January 22, was the last person in the montage (usually reserved for the most honored spot that will get the greatest level of applause).
Here is the “In Memoriam” montage video clip from the 2008 Oscars:
The Oscar telecast is moving full steam ahead. Host Jon Stewart is expected to arrive Saturday (today0 in Hollywood, bringing a busy staff of back-to-work writers for an intensive week of Oscar prep for next Sunday’s show. The Academy also has engaged veteran Oscar scribes Hal Kanter, Buz Kohan, Jon Macks and Bruce Vilanch.