Sean Penn Skips Oscars, Cites Mental-Health Concerns and Selfie Aversion

At the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for *One Battle After Another* but did not attend. He traveled to Ukraine, met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and watched the broadcast from roughly 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. local time.

Rolling Stone

Penn previously earned Best Actor Oscars for *Mystic River* (2003) and *Milk* (2009). After the January 2026 Golden Globes, he said the selfie culture prompted him to stop attending large award events. He now avoids any gathering larger than eight people, calling larger groups anxiety- and dread-inducing and noting a two-hour ceremony gives only 15 minutes per person.

Rolling Stone

• Sean Penn – actor, activist, three-time Oscar winner.

USA Today

• ***One Battle After Another* cast and crew, Warner Bros., and other collaborators** – informed Penn of his planned absence; agreed it served his mental-health needs.

USA Today

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – met Penn in Kyiv.

Rolling Stone

• Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian state rail group) – gave him an Oscar-style trophy made from a railcar damaged by Russian shelling.

Rolling Stone

Oscar win: Best Supporting Actor, 98th Academy Awards, March 2026. Broadcast time in Ukraine: approximately 2 a.m.–5 a.m. local time. Personal attendance rule: no groups larger than eight people; “15 minutes per person” in a two-hour event.

Hollywood Reporter

Penn’s explanation foregrounds mental-health concerns for public figures and challenges the selfie-driven culture of industry gatherings. His choice also reinforces his humanitarian focus on Ukraine, highlighted by the rail-car trophy Ukrzaliznytsia called “a symbol of resilience.”

Rolling Stone

Ukrzaliznytsia posted on X that the trophy made from a damaged railcar was “a symbol of resilience” and noted Penn’s absence. His *One Battle After Another* colleagues and Warner Bros. said they were informed in advance and understood his non-attendance protected his mental health.

Rolling Stone

All cited sources present a consistent timeline and rationale; no contradictory accounts were identified.

Hollywood Reporter

• “People should not do selfies ever with anyone. It’s bad for you; it’s bad for everyone. It’s a soul-sucker.” — Sean Penn, Actor

‘One Battle After Another’ Star Sean Penn Vows to Never Return to Award Shows After This “Insufferable” Fan Interaction

• “I won’t go anywhere to be with a designated group beyond eight people. If you cut out two hours for your night, it gives you 15 minutes per person.” — Sean Penn, Actor

Hollywood Reporter

• “I really got to enjoy the Academy Awards for the first time. It was great.” — Sean Penn, Actor

USA Today

• “Knowing that I wasn’t going to do that anymore, I did one before that this year. I went to the Golden Globes; I’d never been to that before. And that’s where I decided, ‘I can’t do this.’” — Sean Penn, Actor

Variety Magazine

Penn said he will not attend future awards ceremonies, reinforcing his eight-person limit. He plans to continue humanitarian work in Ukraine and other conflict zones, as indicated by his involvement with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) and recent meetings with Ukrainian officials.

Hollywood Reporter