Hollywood has a funny way of remembering who it wants, when it wants. But when the 97th Academy Awards rolled around in March 2025, the silence surrounding one particular name felt less like a mistake and more like a targeted oversight. We’re talking about Shannen Doherty.
The Charmed and Heathers actress, who passed away in July 2024 after a decade-long, incredibly public battle with breast cancer, was nowhere to be found in the televised In Memoriam segment. It didn't take long for the internet to notice. It took even less time for her long-time friend and Beverly Hills, 90210 costar to weigh in.
Honestly, the Shannen Doherty's Oscars snub called messed up by Jennie Garth wasn't just a quick soundbite. It was a reflection of the frustration felt by an entire generation of fans who grew up watching Doherty define cool, then watched her define courage.
The Viral Moment: Jennie Garth Pulls No Punches
It happened on the streets of New York. A TMZ cameraman caught up with Garth just days after the ceremony, asking the question everyone was already typing into their phones: What did she think about Shannen being left out?
Garth didn't mince words. Her response was short, sharp, and punctuated with the kind of annoyance you only have for people you truly care about. "Yeah, that’s messed up," she said.
When the reporter pushed further, asking if the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) should apologize, Garth gave a blunt, "Maybe." She looked tired of the industry’s games.
You’ve got to remember the history here. For years, the tabloids tried to paint Garth and Doherty as mortal enemies on the set of 90210. They were the Kelly and Brenda of real life, supposedly constantly at each other's throats. But in the years before Shannen’s death, they had formed a deep, mature bond.
Garth had already been vocal about her grief on her podcast, I Choose Me with Jennie Garth, describing the news of Shannen’s passing as a "punch to the stomach." To see her friend ignored by the biggest "club" in Hollywood clearly hit a nerve.
Is Shannen Doherty "Not Movie Enough" for the Oscars?
The Academy usually hides behind a very specific set of internal rules when they get called out for these snubs. The common defense? "She was a TV star."
It’s a weak argument.
Shannen Doherty had a career spanning 45 years. She wasn't just Brenda Walsh or Prue Halliwell. If you're a fan of 80s cinema, you know she was a cornerstone of Heathers (1988) as Heather Duke. She was a lead in Kevin Smith’s Mallrats (1995). These aren't just obscure credits; they are cult classics that shaped the film industry.
💡 You might also like: Lauren Sanchez Pictures: What the Media Often Gets Wrong
Her representative released a statement shortly after the ceremony expressing "deep disappointment," noting that Shannen had been a dedicated member of the Hollywood community since she was a child. She started in 1982 with Voyagers! and Father Murphy. She voiced Teresa in The Secret of NIMH. The woman had range.
Other Notable 2025 Snubs
Shannen wasn't the only one left in the cold. The 2025 tribute was criticized for several omissions:
- Tony Todd: The legendary Candyman star.
- Michelle Trachtenberg: The Harriet the Spy and Buffy actress who died suddenly just days before the ceremony.
- Alain Delon: An international cinema icon.
The Academy did include Shannen in their "supplemental" online gallery, but let’s be real—nobody goes to the website. The In Memoriam segment is about the broadcast. It's about that collective moment of silence from millions of viewers. By leaving her out, the producers basically signaled that her film contributions didn't meet their arbitrary "prestige" bar.
The Evolving Legacy of a Fighter
What makes this snub feel particularly "messed up," as Garth put it, is how much Shannen gave back to the industry in her final years. She didn't hide her stage 4 diagnosis. She used her podcast, Let’s Be Clear, to demystify death and the process of dying.
She was working almost until the very end.
✨ Don't miss: How Old Is Brock Mikesell? The Truth About His Age and Huge Life Changes
There is a certain irony in the Oscars—an organization that loves a "comeback" or a "brave" narrative—ignoring one of the most authentically brave women to ever walk a red carpet.
While the Academy stayed silent, the fans didn't. Social media was flooded with clips of Heathers and Mallrats. People pointed out that the segment, introduced by Morgan Freeman, felt incomplete without the "Bad Girl of the 90s" who had grown into a pillar of strength for the cancer community.
What This Says About the Academy's Future
The In Memoriam segment has become one of the most controversial parts of the night. Every year, it’s the same story: someone gets "snubbed," and the internet loses its mind.
But this feels different. As the line between TV and film continues to blur—with A-list movie stars doing limited series and TV stars leading blockbuster franchises—the Academy's refusal to recognize "TV-first" actors who have legitimate film legacies feels dated.
If you want to support Shannen’s legacy, the best thing you can do isn't just complaining about a montage. It's engaging with her work.
Next steps for fans and industry observers:
- Revisit the Filmography: Watch Heathers or Mallrats to see her big-screen presence.
- Support the Cause: Shannen was a massive advocate for animal rights and cancer research. Donations to organizations like the American Cancer Society or animal rescue groups are a great way to honor her.
- Listen to the Archives: Her podcast Let's Be Clear remains a powerful resource for anyone dealing with chronic illness.
The Academy might have missed the mark, but Jennie Garth’s reaction proves that Shannen’s impact wasn't about a three-second clip in a slideshow. It was about the people she left behind.