Curtis: Oscars not racist, but Republicans are

By DOUGLAS BURNS

Carroll Daily Times Herald
d.burns@carrollspaper.com
Jamie Lee Curtis, a Golden Globe-winning actress, said that had she been nominated for this year’s Academy Awards she’d attend rather than joining the boycott of some in the film industry protesting the total absence of minorities in acting categories.

“Of course I would,” she said. “It is not a racist organization. I would have much more difficulty showing up to a Republican event, which I think have either overt or covert racist ideologies. I don’t believe that the Academy of Arts and Sciences is a racist group of people.”

Curtis, a lifelong Democrat whose parents, actresses Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh performed at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, made the remarks in response to questions from The Daily Times Herald following her appearance in Carroll Sunday on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Curtis, a member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, says she supports efforts to broaden the membership reach of the organization that determines the Oscars.

“I think that the rules of membership should reflect the diversity of our industry, and they don’t,” Curtis said. “Having said that, it is a subjective art form. You are voting for who you think the best is, and I don’t believe that there’s a racist overlay to people’s choice.”

The issue is a lack of career opportunities, which Curtis said has to do more with the production end of show business.

Only white actors and actresses were chosen in the top four acting categories for the second year in a row.

Alejandro González Iñárritu, a Latino, is nominated for best director for “The Revenant,” which is positioned to be a major winner on Oscar night after doing well at the Golden Globes. Curtis described “The Revenant” as outstanding.