Sean Penn Skips Oscars, Kieran Culkin Jokes About Absence After Presenting Award

Kieran Culkin, fresh off his 2025 Best Supporting Actor win for “A Real Pain,” presented the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2026 Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, was marked by the absence of this year’s winner, Sean Penn.

A Witty Exchange and a Notable No-Show

Culkin began his presenting remarks by praising the nominees, stating, “Gentlemen, you gave us performances we will always remember.” He continued, “Now it is my genuine pleasure to give one of you a moment I hope you will never forget.” Penn took home the Oscar for his portrayal of Col. Steven Lockjaw in “One Battle After Another,” but did not attend the ceremony.

Responding to Penn’s absence, Culkin ad-libbed, “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening—or didn’t want to,” prompting laughter from the audience. “So I’ll be accepting the award on his behalf.”

Past and Present: Penn’s Relationship with the Oscars

This isn’t the first time Penn has skipped the Oscars. He was also absent for the first three nominations he received. He previously won Oscars for his roles in Mystic River (2004) and Milk (2009), using those opportunities to deliver politically charged speeches. At the 2004 ceremony, during the Iraq War, he remarked, “If there’s one thing that actors realize—other than that there weren’t any WMDs—it’s that there is no such thing as ‘best’ in acting.” For Milk, he advocated for LGBTQ+ rights shortly after California passed Proposition 8.

Activism and Absence

According to the New York Times, Penn chose to be in Ukraine instead of attending the Oscars, continuing his activism related to Russia’s invasion. He previously filmed the documentary Superpower about the conflict and has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, even gifting President Volodymyr Zelensky one of his Oscars in 2022 as a “symbol of faith.”

A Missed Opportunity?

Some observers felt Penn’s absence was a missed opportunity. The evening also honored 20 Days in Mariupol, a documentary about resistance to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Given the political climate and the nature of his winning role – a bombastic, hypocritical, and egotistical racist – many believed the stage was set for a powerful statement from Penn. Instead, his absence was perceived by some as petty and inconsiderate of his fellow nominees, particularly those experiencing their first Oscar nominations.

As Culkin noted on the red carpet, he was deeply moved by the opportunity to present the award, and three other actors in the category were first-time nominees. Penn’s absence, appeared to diminish the significance of the moment for others.

A Third Oscar for a Controversial Figure

With this win, Penn joins an elite group of three-time Oscar winners, including Meryl Streep, Frances McDormand, Ingrid Bergman, Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Katharine Hepburn holds the record with four wins. Despite his talent, Penn has a long-standing reputation for pugnacity, self-importance, and activism, and has faced legal issues throughout his career.

Interestingly, some speculate that Penn’s limited participation in awards season – aside from a brief appearance at the Golden Globes – may have actually benefited his chances, allowing voters to focus solely on his performance in “One Battle After Another” rather than his often-controversial public persona.