Suzanne Somers' husband Alan Hamel has issued a statement after his wife was noticeably left out of the 2024 Oscars In Memoriam segment.
On Sunday, viewers tuned in to watch the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award the annual best in film statues and pay tribute to late figures from the entertainment industry including Glynis Johns, Michael Gambon, and Matthew Perry. Within minutes, however, viewers took to social media to point out some of the most obvious missing stars.
Among the most shocking absences were names likes Ron Cephas Jones, Treat Williams, Lance Reddick and Somers. In a statement to ET, Hamel says he is not upset over Somers not being included in the segment and that the fan response has been even more heartwarming to see.
"I respect the Academy’s decision to not include Suzanne In Memoriam. Frankly, the outpouring from millions of her fans, was the kind of In Memoriam Suzanne would have lovingly embraced," Hamel, 87, tells ET, adding that her life was something to behold, alone.
"She adored and respected her Fans and similarly enjoyed a beautiful relationship with the Media and Paparazzi who elevated her career to heights rarely seen. She debuted on Carson in 1973 with her first of 27 books and remained active and relevant until her passing. God bless Suzanne Somers."
Somers died at her home in Palm Springs on Oct. 15, 2023. She was best known for her roles in Three's Company and Step By Step. In a statement to ET after her death, Hamel revealed that his wife died from breast cancer that had metastasized.
While she was left out of the Oscars In Memoriam, Somers was honored in January during the same segment at the 75th Emmy Awards, which also included tributes to those forgotten at the Oscars -- Reddick, Williams and Cephas Jones -- as well as Norman Lear, Angela Lansbury, Angus Cloud and more TV greats who died in 2023 and early 2024.
The segment included a moving rendition of "See You Again" by Charlie Puth, accompanied by The War and Treat, while pictures of the actors and contributing television figures played on the screen.
Somers died just one day before her 77th birthday, which her family eventually celebrated after her death.At the time, Hamel, and the couple's son, Bruce Somers, shared photos of them lighting up candles on a cake they had bought to enjoy with her on her birthday.
"Thank you for the out-pouring of love and affection for Suzanne," the family wrote in an Instagram post. "So many of you have asked what you can do to support our family. The most comforting gesture for us is to hear how Suzanne affected all of your lives."
In December, the devoted husband and father said that despite his wife being a known high heel lover who owned "every Manolo Blhanik ever made," they decided to bury her in Timberland hiking boots, which he drew on to send her off.
RELATED CONTENT:
