Betty White overlooked in BAFTAs ‘In Memoriam’ segment

The 2022 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) aired Sunday night, paying tribute to many Hollywood stars who have died in the past year in an ‘In Memoriam’ segment. But fans were enraged when iconic actress Betty White was not included.

Stars like Richard Donner and Jessica Walter were included in the segment, however, fans were quick to notice the late Betty White was not, taking to social media to show disappointment over the beloved actress obviously missing from the important industry and consumer tribute.

Just watching last night’s #BAFTA2022 but want to know why was the incredible Betty White not mentioned in the In Memorial segment?? ???? #bafta @BAFTA

— Lesley Coyne-Bingham (@LesleyB86) March 14, 2022

In a statement to E! News, the BAFTA said White will be included in the impending television awards later this year.

Fans noticed The Golden Girls star wasn’t the only person missing an honourable mention, The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Ed Asner was also left out.

bafta sucks for not paying tribute to ed asner and betty white https://t.co/A8gp2RLRrN

— ana | parenthood reunion (@paulsongilmore) March 13, 2022

“Due to the number of people we would like to recognize at any one time and the limited time in which we have to do so, individuals may be featured in a television broadcast only once,” the BAFTAs stated in their tweet.

“Decisions as to who is selected for inclusion are made by BAFTA’s Obituaries Committee, which considers over 200 names a year.”

The actress died of natural causes on December 31st, 2021 and her admired position among fans has only grown further support for the star to be properly honoured and memorialised.

White’s assistant, Kierstan Mikelas, paid tribute to the star by sharing the last photo taken of her on what would have been her 100th birthday earlier this year, a milestone in which White missed by 3 weeks.

NBC did their part in celebrating White’s missed milestone by airing a tribute special called Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl in January earlier this year.

US President Joe Biden and the US Army were also among a never-ending list of celebrities who have paid tribute to the star.

Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021

We are saddened by the passing of Betty White.

Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during WWII as a member of the American Women’s Voluntary Services.

A true legend on and off the screen. pic.twitter.com/1HRDYCeV7w

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 31, 2021

We note that now, several days after the awards, both White and Asner can be found on the BAFTAs website under the “In Memory Of” section.