Farrah Snubbed at the Oscars

Last night was one of the rare occasions I watched the Oscars. Normally, it is not my thing. It's too long, too boring, and way over-exposed. I was 24 the first time I watched a broadcast of the Academy Awards. However, there were a few people I was rooting for this go around, namely Sandra Bullock. When time came for their tribute to those who had passed away within the past year, I knew it would be classy and well put together. Problem was it was incomplete. Not only were Bea Arthur and Ricardo Montalban ignored, but Farrah Fawcett was completely overlooked. I was stunned and disappointed by the snub.

Sure, Farrah made a name for herself in television. Her one season on "Charlie's Angels" will always be a part of her legacy, the biggest part of it. It made her a household name, and a phenomenon. She also thrived in "The Burning Bed", "Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story", and "Small Sacrifices", all TV movies. However, she did not remain on the small screen.

One of her first roles was in the 1970 film "Myra Breckenridge", which co-starred Raquel Welch and Mae West. In 1976, she was in Logan's Run". In the late '70s, in an effort to distance herself from her "Charlie's Angels" image, she starred in "Somebody Killed Her Husband", along with last night's best actor winner, Jeff Bridges. In 1980, she was in "Saturn 3" with Kirk Douglas. In 1981, she was back to the perky, cute blond persona in "Cannonball Run". She would later appear in "Extremities", "Man About the House", and "Dr T And the Women". One of her most critically-acclaimed performances was in "The Apostle" with Robert Duvall, who selected her for the part of his wife. Her last film role was in 2004's "The Cookout", where she played Mrs. Crowley, wife of Danny Glover.

Not all of these films were hits. Some of them were misses. However, all of them together made her a film star, worthy of being acknowledged by the Academy. Some of her performances were compelling. The woman could act, given the right script. One of her main goals was to be taken seriously, to be a bona fide actress. It was a goal she achieved, even if some are not too bright to recognize it.

Their excuse today is they did not have room. Someone had to be omitted. It should not have been Farrah. She was dismissed as an actress too much in life. It is even worse, sadder, for it to be done now.