Hollywood star Sean Penn, 65, made a deliberate choice to bypass the 98th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, where he secured the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in "One Battle After Another." Instead, the acclaimed actor traveled to Ukraine to demonstrate solidarity with the war-ravaged nation, a move that has ignited considerable controversy among his fanbase.
Frontline Commitment Over Red Carpet Glamour
A Ukrainian official confirmed to AFP that Penn is currently in Ukraine on a personal visit, emphasizing that the actor felt a compelling need to be present in the country. "We can say that he's in Ukraine, but it's his personal visit; that's how he sees it, that he needs to be in Ukraine," the official stated, adding, "He just wants to support Ukraine." Further reports indicate that Penn plans to journey to the eastern frontlines, areas heavily impacted by ongoing conflict.
A Longstanding Advocate for Ukraine
Sean Penn is no stranger to Ukrainian affairs, having visited the nation multiple times in recent years. His advocacy includes filming a documentary about President Volodymyr Zelensky during the initial stages of Russia's invasion in 2022. The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, chronicles Zelensky's transformation from comedian to wartime leader and fostered a close friendship between the two men.
In 2025, Penn joined forces with rock icon Bono at the Cannes Film Festival to deliver a powerful appeal for Western support of Ukraine, sharing the red carpet with Ukrainian soldiers. The Ukrainian official also noted that Penn, now a three-time Oscar winner, is scheduled to meet with President Zelensky later on Monday.
Oscars Absence Fuels Social Media Fury
Penn's decision to skip the Oscars has provoked a storm of criticism on social media platform X, with many users arguing that awards should be reserved for attendees. One user vented, "There should be a rule that whoever doesn't show up because they don't give a s**t about the award doesn't get it either, like in a raffle. Didn't come? Next on the list, please. [An] exception would be for health reasons. Sean Penn doesn't give a damn about this award."
Another questioned, "I can't stop thinking: What the F**K did Sean Penn have better to do than go to the Oscars???" Additional comments included sentiments such as, "Unless you have a good reason not to be in attendance, if you can't be bothered to show up to the Oscars, your award should go to the runner-up. Sean Penn. This is about Sean Penn," and "It pisses me off when someone wins an #Oscars and doesn't even show up. Sean Penn couldn't care less about that award."
Ceremony Highlights and Absence Acknowledged
During the awards show, presenter Kieran Culkin humorously addressed Penn's absence when announcing the Best Supporting Actor winner. "Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening or didn't want to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf," the "Succession" star quipped. This marks another instance of Penn missing major awards events; he also did not attend this year's BAFTAs and Actor Awards, despite being victorious.
The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien for the second consecutive year, celebrated the finest films of 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. "One Battle After Another" clinched the coveted Best Picture award, while Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley earned top acting honors for their performances in "Sinners" and "Hamnet," respectively.
Penn's absence underscores his prioritization of humanitarian efforts over industry accolades, yet it has undeniably stirred debate about the expectations placed on award winners and the balance between professional recognition and personal convictions.
