R.I.P. Neil Simon (1927-2018)

Neil Simon

On August 26, 2018, playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon died at the age of 91 in New York City, New York. Over the course of his storied career, he has become the most nominated writer for combined Tony and Oscar nominations. It's for good reason, as his work on stage has included such iconic hits as The Odd Couple and Sweet Charity. He has released a few dozen plays and just as many movies (some based on the plays) and became known for his penchant sympathetic humor that pitted the average man into odd situations. Along with being the only living playwright to have a New York theater named after him, he has had a legacy that is unmatched just in terms of output and laughs. He will be missed for everything that he contributed to the world of theater and film.

The Runner-Ups: Bill Lancaster in "Bad News Bears" (1976)

Scene from Bad News Bears

Every Oscar season, there are a handful of actors who get tagged with the "snubbed" moniker. While it is always unfortunate to see our favorites not honored with at very least a nomination, there's another trend that goes largely unnoticed: those who never even got that far. The Runner-Ups is a column meant to honor the greats in cinema who put in phenomenal work without getting the credit that they deserved from The Academy. Join me every Saturday as I honor those who never received any love. This list will hopefully come to cover both the acting community, and the many crew members who put the production together.