Community | Lupe Ontiveros omission in Oscars in Memoriam

BRAVO to the National Hispanic Media Coalition for taking the lead on this important issue. Below is their letter to the Academy.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES ARTS & SCIENCES

February 26, 2013

To the Members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences:

I write to you on behalf of the thousands of Lupe Ontiveros’ fans indignant of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences’ neglect to include Ontiveros in the Oscars in Memoriam. Lupe Ontiveros passed away last July.

We understand from the Lupe Ontiveros family that she wasn’t a member of the Academy, hence her omission from the Oscars tribute. We also understand that Lupe Ontiveros applied, with the support of Miguel Sandoval and Edward James Olmos, to be a member of the Academy and that she was denied membership. We want to know the reasons why Lupe Ontiveros was denied membership to the Academy.

It is astonishing that an actress of Ontiveros’ caliber and experience was denied membership to the Academy. Lupe worked in the entertainment industry for thirty five years, her film credits include: “El Norte,” “The Goonies,” “Selena,” “Real Women Have Curves,” “As Good as it Gets,” and “Chuck & Buck.”

As the controversy of the Academy’s omission of Lupe Ontiveros in the Oscars in Memoriam subsides, we ask that the Academy take a moment to pause and reflect on its commitment to the growing U.S. Latino talent.
Sincerely,
Alex Nogales
President & CEO