Hollywood Actor Al Pacino reveals that he was following the instructions of the Oscar producers, as he omitted the names of the best picture nominees while announcing the winner of the event’s biggest category. The academy award winning actor was Sunday night’s final presenter and announced ‘Oppenheimer’ as the best picture winner without naming the entire list of nominees.
“I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony. I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented. Pacino said in a statement Monday afternoon.”
“I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful, I say this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors and producers so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight, and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement.’’
During the show, Pacino announced the winner of the most prestigious award of the night by saying, “Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for best picture.’’ The actor did not announce all the films in the category, instead got directly to the envelope, which felt hurried and a bit dissatisfying to some. “I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will,’’ Al said on the telecast. “Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer. Yes. Yes.’’
Meanwhile, Oscars producer Molly McNearney told Variety that, “We did not give [Pacino] a clip package. We did not give him nominations to read. I apologize if our decision to not have to read through all those nominations put him in a tough spot.’’
For The Unversed, Al Pacino (83), is a nine-time acting nominee, who won the Best Actor for 1992’s Scent of a Woman.
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