The month of May was Mental Health Awareness Month and during the “In Memoriam” section of the Academy Awards telecast, on March 12, 2023, a notable face was left off the tribute section, and with her death being so tragic and untimely it seemed almost cruel for Anne Heche to not be remembered when honoring the passing of people in the entertainment community. The only upside to the snub of Heche was that there was a long list of other notable actors left out of the tribute that had recently passed before the Oscars memorial section had been edited together, making it so Anne wasn’t alone in being forgotten. But with the amount of money and talent circulating in Hollywood, it would seem this is a problem every year with the Academy Awards, and one would think this could be the one thing they get right without default, but then again, there’s also “Envelopegate,”, which is a blog for another day. But I digress, with both Mental Health Awareness Month coming to an end and the past Oscars snub months behind us, I thought it would be nice to remember Anne Heche, her contribution to the film world, and the difficult and silent battle she fought the last few years with her Mental Health and how easily she was forgotten at her worst when at the time of her death she should have been remembered at her best.

Without further ado, we remember Anne Heche…

Born on May 25, 1969, in Aurora, Ohio, Anne Celeste Heche was a talented actress, a vibrant personality, and a remarkable individual whose presence in the entertainment industry left a lasting impact. Her journey through life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of the human spirit. Anne’s career spanned over three decades, during which she showcased her versatile acting skills across various mediums. From her early breakthrough in the 1997 critically acclaimed film, Donnie Brasco, with Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, to her memorable roles in movies like 1997s Volcano, with Tommy Lee Jones and Gaby Hoffman, 1998s romantic comedy Six Days Seven Nights, with Harrison Ford and David Schwimmer, which was Heche’s first leading role, and the 2002 dramatic thriller John Q, with Denzel Washington and Ray Liotta. Heche captivated audiences with her magnetic performances and undeniable talent.

Beyond her work on the silver screen, Anne also made significant contributions to television, starring in the hit series from ABC, Men in Trees, with James Tupper, and HBO‘s Hung, with Thomas Jane, and like Ray Liotta, who also passed away in 2022, Heche got her start acting on the soap opera series, Another World, playing twins, Vicky Hudson and Marley Love, for which she received a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991. Heche also appeared in two episodes of then-girlfriend, Ellen DeGeneres’s television series, Ellen in 1997. Her high-profile relationship with DeGeneres overshadowed her blossoming career, and it doomed her to become the judgment of public scrutiny before the time of social media, meaning she appeared on every cover of tabloid magazines and became fodder for their publications for more than two decades. Heche had been receiving praise for her roles in the films Walking and Talking with Cathrine Keener and Liev Schreiber, along with the political satire Wag the Dog, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, and the buzz was garnering her leading star potential in the film world. Anne was cast to star in the remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho alongside Vince Vaughn in 1997, and would be starring as Marion Crane, in the role made famous by Janet Leigh in the 1960 original. Anne Heche‘s ability to immerse herself in diverse characters with depth and authenticity solidified her status as a respected and admired actress.

But in August of 1997, her career took a tabloid turn when Heche went public with her romance with DeGeneres, who was 11 years her senior, Anne was 28 years old, at the time of the relationship and was poised to be Tinseltown’s next leading lady. Psycho suffered, and Heche was quoted admitting in 2022 when Page Six had asked her about her relationship with DeGeneres and the tabloid chaos that surrounded it after:

“It changed my life forever, the stigma attached to that relationship was so bad, I didn’t do a studio picture for 10 years. I was fired from a $10 million picture deal.”

– Anne Heche, to Page Six in The New York Post in 2022

You can read the full article by clicking the Page Six below:

Therefore, Anne’s journey was not without its challenges. Her relationship with DeGeneres wouldn’t be the only personal struggle and setback she would go through throughout life, but it was through these trials that she demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage. She fearlessly embraced her own truth, openly discussing her experiences and advocating for mental health awareness, bringing attention to important issues affecting countless individuals. Heche’s creativity extended beyond acting. She was an accomplished writer and a New York Times Best Seller with her 2001 memoir, Call Me Crazy and her sequel Call Me Anne, published posthumously in January 2023, she was also a director, further showcasing her multifaceted talents. Her willingness to explore different artistic avenues demonstrated her boundless passion for storytelling and her desire to continually push the boundaries of her craft. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Anne will be remembered for her indomitable spirit and infectious energy. She possessed a zest for life that radiated from her, leaving a lasting impression on those who had the privileged of knowing her. Her warmth, wit, and genuine compassion touched the hearts of many, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.

On August 11, 2022, it was reported that after being severely burned in a car crash which resulted in Heche’s car crashing into a woman’s house and being in a medically induced coma due to her injuries, Heche suffered brain death and was removed from life support by her family. Anne Heche was 53 years old. Her son Homer Heche Laffoon, her first child from her marriage to Coleman “Coley” Laffoon that ended in divorce in 2009, was designated as the administrator to her estate, which also stated that a third party is designated the legal guardian ad litem for Heche’s younger son and Laffoon’s half-brother, Atlas Heche Tupper, her child from her relationship with James Tupper that ended in 2018. Anne Heche’s untimely passing left a void in the world of entertainment and therefore should have been remembered in the Oscars “In Memoriam” section because her absence is deeply felt, and her legacy will continue to inspire aspiring actors, artists, and individuals seeking to embrace their true selves.

So, in our hearts, we remember Anne Heche as a fearless performer, a passionate advocate, and a remarkable human being who lived her life authentically. Her talent, resilience, and unwavering spirit will forever be cherished, as we reflect upon the invaluable contributions she made to the world of entertainment and beyond.

Rest in Peace, dear Anne Heche. You’re light will continue to shine through the memories you left behind.