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Richard Curtis has expressed disappointment that celebrated comic performances by Peter Sellers and Will Ferrell were overlooked by the Academy Awards.
Sellers earned three Golden Globe nominations and a BAFTA nomination for his performances as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the iconic Pink Panther film franchise, but these roles were never recognized by the Oscars. Ferrell's performance in the 2003 holiday comedy Elf has become a festive favorite, but never received any recognition from the Oscars either. 
"I always get very antsy about the fact that Will Ferrell didn't get nominated for Elf," Curtis told reporters at the Oscar Wilde Awards in L.A. Thursday, according to The Independent. "Or that Peter Sellers didn’t get nominated for Inspector Clouseau. But it's the price you pay, as it were. Comedies tend to make a bit of money, and then you don't get the prizes."
Curtis, who wrote the beloved comedy movies Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, and also wrote and directed Love, Actually, said he believes it is "a real issue that comedy isn’t respected as much."
"But I do try and push for comedy performances whenever I can," added Curtis, who is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which determines the annual crop of Oscar nominations. This year's Academy Awards take place Sunday at L.A.'s Dolby Theatre and you can check out our guide to Anglo favorites in the running.
Do you agree with Richard Curtis' comments about comedy not being respected as much?