9 Famous Actors Who Skipped Their Oscar Ceremony

Since the first Academy Awards on May 16, 1929, only nine actors were absent when it came time to collect their Oscars. For many performers a nomination or win signals arrival, but these absences show that others had different priorities. Sean Penn missed the 98th ceremony after flying to Europe to visit Ukraine; he had won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another.

Marlon Brando boycotted the 45th Academy Awards and sent Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse his Best Actor statuette for The Godfather in protest of Native American stereotyping and treatment. George C. Scott declined the Patton Oscar, calling the event a "two-hour meat parade" and rejecting the idea that acting should be judged competitively.

Katharine Hepburn, who won four times, disliked the glamor of the ceremony and never appeared to accept her trophies. Paul Newman, weary after many losses and previously given an honorary Oscar, skipped when he finally won for The Color of Money.

Ukraine

academy awards, oscars, sean penn, marlon brando, katharine hepburn, paul newman, george scott, sacheen littlefeather, the godfather, patton