Why Did Sean Penn Not Attend the Oscars | Major Reasons

Sean Penn was the most notable absence at the 98th Academy Awards last night (March 15, 2026), particularly because he actually won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.

While Penn did not release a formal statement explaining his absence, here is what we know about why he skipped the ceremony:

1. Possible Humanitarian Trip to Ukraine

According to reports from The New York Times, anonymous sources close to the actor suggested Penn “headed to Europe” last week. It is widely believed he may have returned to Ukraine for humanitarian or documentary work. Penn has a well-documented history of activism there and famously gave one of his previous Oscar statuettes to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a symbol of support.

2. A Longstanding “Complicated Relationship” with the Academy

Penn has skipped the Oscars several times in the past, even when nominated (1996, 2000, and 2002).

• The Kieran Culkin Comment: When his win was announced last night, presenter Kieran Culkin accepted the award on his behalf, jokingly remarking, “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening… or didn’t want to.”

• Skipping the Circuit: Penn skipped almost the entire 2026 awards circuit, including the BAFTAs and the Actor Awards (formerly the SAGs), despite winning at both of those ceremonies as well.

3. Shift to Directing

Penn recently mentioned in interviews that he is taking a break from acting to focus on directing. His next project is a film starring Tom Hardy, scheduled to begin shooting this summer. It’s possible he simply prioritized pre-production or personal time over the “Oscar campaign” cycle, which he has historically found draining.

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Oscars 2026: Best Supporting Actor Nominees

Penn won in a highly competitive category, joining an elite club of three-time acting winners (alongside Meryl Streep and Daniel Day-Lewis).