Jennie Garth spoke out against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts after her late co-star Shannen Doherty was left out of the 2025 Oscars in memoriam slideshow.
Doherty — best known for her performances in Beverly Hills, 90210 alongside Garth, and the early 2000s TV series Charmed — died at age 53 on July 13, 2024, due to metastatic breast cancer.
When asked by TMZ how she felt about her former castmate’s Oscars snub on Sunday, Garth said: “Yeah, that’s messed up.”
The 52-year-old actor also replied, “Maybe,” when the reporter asked whether she thought the Oscars should issue an apology.
At the time of Doherty’s death, Garth shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram with two photos of them and the caption: “I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest.
“We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration,” she continued. “She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories. My heart breaks for her family and Bowie and all the people who loved her.”
Doherty wasn’t the only television star who died in the last 12 months to be omitted from the poignant segment set to Mozart’s “Requiem.”
Michelle Trachtenberg, who suddenly died at the age of 39 on February 26, 2024, was left out, too.
Fans watching the 97th annual ceremony at home were outraged by the Gossip Girl alum’s omission, calling the move “upsetting” and “a huge oversight” by the Academy.
“Michelle Trachtenberg not being mentioned in the in memoriam section of the oscars is upsetting, you are and will remain so so loved and admired Michelle,” one fan wrote on X.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free
Another agreed: “Not to mention Michelle Trachtenberg in #theoscars In Memoriam was a huge oversight.”
“It’s shameful that the #Oscars didn’t include Michelle Trachtenberg in their memorial montage of all the actors/actresses who have passed within the year,” a third commented.
One person, however, thought Trachtenberg wasn’t included in the slideshow because the majority of her career was focused on television rather than film, which could also be why Doherty wasn’t included either.
“For those upset about the #Oscars omitting Michelle Trachtenberg, to be fair, she was more known for her TV work than film,” they wrote on X.
Trachtenberg’s death came as a shock to many. Police responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. at her home in Columbus Place on Central Park South last week after her mom found her body.
The NYPD later said they found the on-screen star “unconscious and unresponsive.” She was pronounced dead by emergency medical workers.
According to the Post, Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant.
On March 1, the New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner officially ruled Trachtenberg’s death “undetermined.”
