Sean Penn won the 2026 Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in a critically acclaimed film but did not attend, with Kieran Culkin accepting on his behalf.

Sean Penn won the 2026 Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in a critically acclaimed film but did not attend the ceremony, with Kieran Culkin accepting the award on his behalf. Penn has a history of skipping major award shows, including the BAFTAs and Actor Awards, where he also won for the same role. His absence aligns with a long-standing pattern of disengagement from the Oscars, often tied to personal and political convictions. In 2023, he considered melting his two Oscars to provide metal for Ukraine’s defense, later donating one to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While his exact reason for skipping the 2026 event was not confirmed, reports suggest he planned to travel to Europe, possibly Ukraine, though details remain unverified.