Absence Of Lupe Ontiveros Tribute From Oscars Shows 'Indifference' Toward Latino Community, Say Activists And Family

The family of Lupe Ontiveros, one of the Latino community's most high-profile actresses who died in July at the age of 69, says the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which holds The Oscars, is insensitive to the Latino community.

Ontiveros, whose acting work included appearances in "The Goonies" (1985), "Selena" (1997), the Oscar-winning film "As Good As It Gets" (1997) and television's "Desperate Housewives," was left out of the "In Memoriam" segment of the annual awards ceremony held Feb. 24 in Hollywood.

The Oniveros family soon after the event issued a statement that noted Ontiveros "was loved and respected by many for her achievements on screen" and that "the Academy's glaring omission displayed an indifference to the Latino community and made a statement about the lack of regard for Latino talent in film. It was also a missed opportunity by the Academy to reach out to the millions of Latinos movie fans, who go to the movies at a higher rate than any other group in the U.S."

Lupe Ontiveros, was not the only notable entertainer excluded from the "In Memoriam" segment; the piece left out a list of others that included Andy Griffith, perhaps best remembered as the folksy Sheriff Andy Taylor from the fictitious southern town of Mayberry, Larry Hagman, who shot to international recognition as the nasty J.R. Ewing on the prime-time drama "Dallas," and wild-haired comedienne and actress Phyllis Diller.

"We understand that she is only one of many noteworthy actors and industry veterans who passed away in 2012 that were not included in the segment, but we believe that her contributions and dedication of nearly forty years to the film industry were worthy of this honor," the family said.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition, based in Pasadena, Calif., issued an earlier release in which it said "thousands" of Ontiveros' fans felt "indignant" about the ceremony's oversight.

The group's statement recalled Ontiveros was in fact not a member of the Academy, having been denied entry into the organization after applying. The coalition then demands, "We want to know the reasons why Lupe Ontiveros was denied membership to the Academy."

Oscars spokeswoman Jen Segal told Latinos Post she couldn't comment on the "In Memoriam" issue immediately, but that the Academy plans to respond to the complaints in the near future.