Award history
'Past Lives' actor Teo Yu honored his late pet turtle by wearing a turtle pin at the 2024 Oscars ceremony.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
he is still in shock.
Teo Yu, who starred in the Best Picture nominee Past Lives, wore a turtle pin to the 2024 Oscars in memory of his pet turtle, who passed away in August 2023.
“Well, my pet turtle passed away last year, and I had it for 10 years,” Yoo, 42, explained to a Variety reporter on the red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday.
In the video, the South Korean actor revealed that he named his pet reptile “Momo” after the children's fantasy novel of the same name written by German author Michael Ende. This novel was published in his 1973 year.
Yu, who was born in Germany, joked that her hometown fan club named her “Momos” after the turtle.
“I'm going to be sad for a while,” the actor told Variety, adding that he “cried for about three days” after his pet's death.
“I was very dramatic,” Yu added.
“You're not being dramatic. You're like a child,” the reporter joked.
“You know, it's like that moment when you're with your pet and you think, 'Oh my God,' life is over,” Yu continued. “And then you take yourself off as an actor and you look at that situation and you think, 'Oh my God, this is so dramatic and comical.'
According to the turtle's Instagram, the turtle is a leopard tortoise that the “Soul Searching” actor adopted in 2013.
Spruce Pets, a website dedicated to the needs of all potential pet owners, says the species is native to South Africa, Ethiopia and Somalia and is “one of the largest tortoise species”.
The site warns that there are several factors to consider for anyone looking to acquire the animal.
The site warns, “They require more maintenance than other tortoises, so they are not ideal for novice owners.” “They need ample living space, protection from cold temperatures, and a varied and nutritious diet.”
Variety's video received several positive comments for the actor.
“I never thought I would like him this much before I saw this,” said one fan. “It's just a coincidence, but my dog's name is Momo.''
Another wrote: “There's nothing dramatic about losing a family member.”
“I've always liked him, but now I really like him,'' said a third person.
Director Yoo's film was nominated for both Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, but did not win either award at the Dolby Theater on Sunday. Instead, the gold statues went to Christopher Nolan's “Oppenheimer'' and Cord Jefferson's “American Fiction,'' respectively.
