Sean Penn did not show up at the Academy Awards on Sunday to receive his third Academy Award for his supporting performance in “One Battle After Another,” and that didn’t go without a little quip from the man who would have given him the statuette, Kieran Culkin.
Before opening the envelope, the winner of last year’s Best Supporting Actor award for “A Real Pain” said in his teleprompter speech that he hoped that the winner would get a memory that would “last a lifetime.” But when Penn was revealed as the winner, he went off-script.
“Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening…or didn’t want to,” he said with a grin. “So, I’ll be accepting this award on his behalf.”
Over the past thirty years, awards campaigning has become more aggressive than ever as Oscar nominees have done months of press interviews and appearances at FYC screenings and film festivals to promote their performances. However, Penn has kept a very low profile in the run-up to these Oscars, appearing at the Golden Globes in January, but was absent from the Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs and the Oscars nominee luncheon.
Now, Penn has joined an elite club of actors who have won three Oscars, joining the likes of Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Frances McDormand, among others. Though, he is the first no-show for an acting Oscar since Anthony Hopkins in the COVID-affected 2021 ceremony, when the star of “The Father” opted to stay home in the U.K.
In terms of just the Best Supporting Actor category, Penn is the first no-show since 1987, when Michael Caine was not present to receive his Oscar for “Hannah and Her Sisters.” He was on set shooting another movie: “Jaws: The Revenge.”
As for the nominees who were in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, some viewers on social media noticed the reaction of “Sinners” star Delroy Lindo, who remained frozen in his seat as Penn’s name was read. But “Sinners” fans still gave Delta Slim his flowers.
Penn’s previous wins at the Oscars came in the lead actor category, winning his first in 2004 for “Mystic River” and his second in 2009 for “Milk.” He has also received nominations for his performances in “Dead Man Walking,” “Sweet and Lowdown” and “I Am Sam.”
