Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, 65, has revealed the key reason why he won’t attend any award ceremonies.
Speaking to CNN, the actor confirmed that he feels discomfort in such ceremonies and the socializing is too much for him.
Sean Penn says anxiety—not awards fatigue—is why he has retired from attending ceremonies
According to OK! Magazine, the actor talked to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins at the Tribeca Film Festival and expressed the reason as to why he is stepping away from awards shows. “It’s not just [that it’s] an awards show,” said the actor, explaining that it is his anxiety and discomfort at social gatherings that makes him dislike these shows.
“I’m now down, committed for life, that I won’t go anywhere to be in a designated group beyond eight people,” the veteran actor added, explaining his reason to skip the 2026 Oscars. The actor said that large gatherings at these ceremonies necessitate socializing with large groups within a short period of time – a situation that makes him anxious and deeply uncomfortable.
The actor also stated that the two times he had gone to the Oscar ceremony, the award had brought him a flood of relief for winning, indicating that he didn’t feel particularly celebratory.
The 21 Grams actor ditched the Oscars and instead journeyed to Ukraine to show his support amid the long-standing war with Russia. He met President Volodymyr Zelensky who presented him with a handmade award – a symbolic ‘IronOscar’. Zelensky also appreciated the actor skipping the Oscar to come to their war-torn country. Penn reflected on the incident, saying that it led to him enjoying the Academy Awards “for the first time”.
Penn won oscars for his performances in “Mystic River” (2003) and “Milk” (2008). Despite receiving the highest honour in his profession, Penn has decided to prioritize his mental health as against the glitz and glamour of award shows.
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