97th OSCAR CEREMONY winners and omissions during the memorial segment.
- Velora Magazine
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated the pinnacle of cinematic achievements over the past year. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony was marked by memorable moments, heartfelt tributes, and a few surprises.
Major Winners of the Night
Best Picture was awarded to "Anora," a film that dominated the evening with five Oscars. Director Sean Baker made history by securing four awards for the same film: Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Director, and Best Picture.
In the acting categories, Best Actress went to Mikey Madison for her compelling performance in "Anora." Adrien Brody clinched Best Actor for his role in "The Brutalist." The supporting categories saw Zoe Saldaña winning Best Supporting Actress for "Emilia Pérez," and Kieran Culkin taking home Best Supporting Actor for "A Real Pain."
The Best Animated Feature award was presented to "Flow," directed by Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža, Ron Dyens, and Gregory Zalcman.
In Memoriam Segment
The ceremony's In Memoriam segment paid tribute to industry legends who passed away over the past year. Morgan Freeman led the homage, delivering a heartfelt eulogy for his close friend and two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman, who was found deceased alongside his wife and one of their dogs in their Santa Fe home.
Freeman reminisced, "Gene always said, 'I don't think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.' So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you'll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend."
Other luminaries honored included director David Lynch, known for his avant-garde filmmaking, who passed away in January at 78, and esteemed actress Maggie Smith, beloved for her role as Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" series, who died in September at 89.
The segment also remembered Donald Sutherland, Shelley Duvall, and James Earl Jones, among others.
Memorable Moments
The evening featured a four-part tribute to the James Bond franchise, celebrating its enduring legacy in cinema. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered a show-stopping medley from "Wicked," which won Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
Additionally, Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to winBest Costume Designfor his work on "Wicked."
The tribute included:
Gene Hackman: A two-time Oscar-winning actor, known for his roles in "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," who was found deceased alongside his wife and one of their dogs in their Santa Fe home.
David Lynch: An avant-garde filmmaker, recognized for his unique storytelling style, who passed away in January at the age of 78.
Maggie Smith: Beloved for her role as Professor McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" series, she died in September at the age of 89.
James Earl Jones: Renowned for his iconic voice roles, including Darth Vader in "Star Wars," he was among the luminaries remembered.
Donald Sutherland: A versatile actor with a career spanning decades, he was also honored in the segment.
Shelley Duvall: Known for her roles in films like "The Shining," she was among those commemorated.
However, the segment faced criticism for omitting several notable figures, including:
Michelle Trachtenberg: Known for roles in "Harriet the Spy" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," she passed away at 39 but was not featured in the televised tribute.
Shannen Doherty: Famous for her roles in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed," she succumbed to breast cancer at 53 and was also omitted.
Marianne Faithfull: A Grammy-nominated artist and actress, she died at 78 and was not included in the segment.
Tony Todd: Renowned for his role in "Candyman," he was among the actors left out of the tribute.
Bernard Hill: Known for his roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings," he was also omitted.
Olivia Hussey: Star of "Romeo and Juliet" (1968), her absence from the segment was noted.
These omissions have sparked discussions about the selection criteria for the In Memoriam segment, highlighting the challenges in honoring all deserving individuals within the limited time of the broadcast.
Overall, the 2025 Oscars highlighted the film industry's resilience and creativity, honoring both groundbreaking achievements and the cherished memories of those who contributed to its rich history, but we all know that the Oscars bught has to have some drama each year.
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