Oscars 2024 In Memoriam Honors Late Matthew Perry, Chita Rivera, Ryan O'Neal and More

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Matthew Perry, Chita Rivera and Ryan O’Neal.Photo:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty; Bruce Glikas/Getty; David Livingston/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty; Bruce Glikas/Getty; David Livingston/Getty

TheOscars2024 ceremony is honoring the actors, filmmakers and Hollywood-industry individuals who died over the past year.

The segment opened with a tribute to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony anddied suddenlyat the age of 47 the night prior in February.

Treat Williams,Paul Reubens,Alan Arkin,Andre Braugher,Sinéad O’ConnorandTony Bennettwere also honored during the emotional segment at the 96th Academy Awards Sunday night.

Matthew Perry in West Hollywood, California, on Nov. 17, 2022.Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

O’Nealdied on Dec. 8, 2023. The 82-year-old, who was Oscar-nominated for his role in the 1970 romanceLove Story,had been diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012.

Chita Rivera in New York City on May 22, 2023.Jason Mendez/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty

Rivera, aTony-winning actress and singer with more than seven decades of credits onBroadway, died at age 91 on Jan. 30, following a brief illness.

“It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the belovedBroadway icon Chita Rivera,” her rep Merle Frimark said in a statement of her longtime “dear friend.”

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Rivera’s Broadway career dates back to 1950, and includes two and a half dozen roles in shows such asGuys and Dolls,Merlin, Can-Can,Kiss of the Spider Womanand the role of Anita inWest Side Story.

She also originated the role of murderess Velma Kelly inChicagoon Broadway in 1975 — and for the show’s 25-year anniversary, she played lead Roxie Hart in Las Vegas, London and Toronto. She also had a cameo in the 2002 film adaptation, which won Best Picture at the 2003 Oscars.

source: people.com