AceShowbiz - Sean Penn made headlines by choosing not to attend the 2026 Oscars ceremony despite winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Colonel Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. Instead of celebrating on the red carpet, Sean Penn traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to supporting the country amid conflict.

The actor’s absence at the Academy Awards was explained during the ceremony by last year’s winner, Kieran Culkin, who stated, "Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening, or didn't want to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf." According to a report by Variety, Sean Penn prioritized a diplomatic visit with Zelenskyy over attending Hollywood’s biggest night. The Ukrainian president shared a photo of their meeting on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude: "Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today."

Sean Penn’s win for One Battle After Another marks his third Oscar victory, having previously won Best Actor for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008). Unlike his earlier wins, however, he did not attend this latest ceremony, joining the ranks of actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, and Walter Brennan, who have secured three Oscars each. Notably, Sean Penn has also been nominated for Oscars for his roles in Dead Man Walking (1995), Sweet and Lowdown (1999), and I Am Sam (2001), all ceremonies he skipped as well.

His strong stance on Ukraine has been evident for years. Sean Penn openly criticized the Oscars in 2022 when President Zelenskyy was not invited to attend the ceremony shortly after the Russian invasion began. In a bold statement, Sean Penn contemplated melting down his Oscar statuettes to create bullets for Ukraine’s defense, saying, "I'll give them to Ukraine. They can be melted down to bullets they can shoot at the Russians." Although he later clarified he did not actually melt the awards, he gifted the Oscar he won for Mystic River to Zelenskyy, encouraging the president to keep it safe until the conflict ends.

Beyond his advocacy, Sean Penn created the 2023 documentary Superpower, which chronicles his seven trips to Ukraine before and after the invasion. His dedication was recognized by the Ukrainian government, which awarded him the Order of Merit, third class, honoring his significant efforts to raise awareness about Ukraine worldwide.

The film One Battle After Another also saw widespread acclaim, securing six Oscars in total, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and the inaugural award for Best Casting. While Sean Penn’s absence was noticeable, the film’s success was undeniable.

The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, broadcast on ABC and hosted by Conan O’Brien. The Oscars continue to be the film industry’s most prestigious event, honoring outstanding achievements in artistic and technical fields since their inception in 1929.