Gene Hackman is a two-time Oscar winner (Image: GETTY)
The deaths of actors Gene Hackman and Michelle Trachtenburg were announced just hours apart.
As we countdown until the 97th Academy Awards to celebrate those within the film industry, show producers will also take the time to remember those who have sadly died.
The “In Memoriam” tribute is one of the most melancholy parts of the ceremony; a noble cause to honour members of the film industry who have died in the year preceding the event.
However, the recent news of the deaths of both Hackman and Trachtenburg, could spark show chaos for organisers in order to make a last minute change to the tribute segment if they are to be included.
Over the years, the Oscars has been at the centre of complaints for the exclusion of prominent entertainment figures.
Michelle Trachtenburg sadly died at the age of 39 (Image: Getty)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has previously responded to complaints about the exclusion of some entertainment figures from its annual In Memoriam segment during the Oscar telecast.
“The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment,” the organisation said in a statement obtained by Deadline in 2020. “An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All of the submissions are included on Oscar.com and will remain on the site throughout the year.”
A longer version of the list is published on the Academy’s website as a way to get around timing restrictions during the broadcast but this has not slowed down requests from avid watchers for full inclusion in the actual full broadcast.
Kate Erbland, a writer, has previously discussed the campaigning that goes into being included in the memoriam segment, and suggested the full list is prepared weeks before the actual ceremony.
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Oscars winning actor Gene Hackman (L) pictured with Clint Eastwood (R) (Image: Getty)
Gene Hackman in The French Connection (Image: Getty)
“Talents who might be better known for their work in other arenas, like music or on stage, will likely be left off the Oscar segment,” Erbland explained to The Independent, “as the committee expects they will be honoured elsewhere, like at the Tonys or the Grammys.”
“I think a bigger problem when it comes to inclusion is the show’s continued inability to pivot if a major talent dies in the days leading up to the show,” she added. “The segment is typically locked weeks before the Oscars air, which leaves a tremendous amount of time for big stars to pass away and thus not be included in the segment.”
It is not yet clear whether Hackman or Trachtenburg will be included in Sunday night’s tribute.
Express Online has contacted Oscars representatives for comment.
Michelle Trachtenburg rose to prominence as a child star (Image: Getty)
The Gossip Girl and Buffy The Vampire Slayer star tragically died at the age of 39. Her death was announced on Wednesday (February 26).
The actress was found at her home in New York on Wednesday – with news of her death leaving fans heartbroken and devastated. In the aftermath of her death announcement, it was reported that the actress had undergone a liver transplant recently – and police were not treating her passing as suspicious.
Meanwhile, Enemy of the State actor, Gene, 95, who is a two-time Oscar winner, and his wife Betsy Karawaka were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, Mexico on Thursday (February 27).
There is no foul play suggested, according to local media. Police have confirmed an “active investigation” into the couple’s death.