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Whoopi Goldberg’s gal pals on “The View” were indignant that the actress was left out of a montage of past hosts of the Academy Awards during this Sunday’s ceremony – and Whoopi was even teary-eyed.
The 80th Academy Awards unfolded this Sunday at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles and one or two omissions were noticeable: Whoopi Goldberg from a montage of past hosts and Brad Renfro, from the “in memoriam” montage.
Brad Renfro died on Jan. 15, at the young age of 25, by “acute heroin/morphine intoxication,” according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. He had appeared in “The Client” alongside Susan Sarandon as a 10-year-old and in the Barry Levinson-directed drama “Sleepers,” among others.
The “in memoriam” montage included personalities in the movie industry that passed away between Feb. 1, 2007 and Jan. 31, 2008, yet Renfro was absent. A spokesperson for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences told Usmagazine.com that it was “an editing decision, because we can't fit everyone in.”
As to Whoopi Goldberg’s omission from the hosts montage, she was not alone. Steve Martin was also not presented, although both comedians have taken on hosting duties at the Academy Awards multiple times.
Whoopi hosted the Oscars four times in less than a decade, in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002. The 52-year-old actress also took home a golden statuette of her own in 1990, when she won in the best supporting actress category for her performance in “Ghost.”
Her first Oscar nomination came in 1985, for her role in “The Color Purple.” She stands as the only African-American actress with two Oscar nominations. She has also won a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy.
When co-host Sherri Shepherd asked Monday whether she had upset anybody, Whoopi replied: “Undoubtedly I pissed somebody off yet again. You know what, I don't—I don't know.”
Barbara Walters assured Whoopi of her and the other co-hosts’ appreciation, “We think you're a great host,” while Elisabeth Hasselbeck added, “I think we should do our own montage of you to make up for.”
Whoopi, which had been looking genuinely hut and betrayed, thanked her fellow hosts for the encouragement and kissed each on the cheek, saying “This makes up for it.” Walters gave her a big hug.
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