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People Are Calling For Sean Penn To Have His Oscar Revoked
Social media users are calling for Sean Penn to be stripped of his latest Oscar.
The actor, who picked up the Best Supporting Actor award at this year’s Academy Awards in March, became just the fourth male performer in history to win three acting Oscars.
Penn earned the accolade for his portrayal of Col. Steven J. Lockjaw in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
But what should have been a celebratory moment for the Hollywood star has quickly become overshadowed by controversy.
His latest Oscar victory was expected to serve as another landmark achievement in an already distinguished career, with critics and fellow actors praising his work. However, conversation online has since shifted, as old controversies involving Penn have resurfaced and sparked renewed calls for the Academy to revoke the honor.
Sean Penn was absent from the Oscars
Despite securing his third Academy Award, Penn did not attend the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Instead, last year’s winner in the category, Kieran Culkin, accepted the award on his behalf and joked that the actor ‘couldn’t be here this evening, or didn’t want to.’
Penn has spent years openly criticizing the Academy and has repeatedly voiced his frustrations with the organization.
Back in 2023, the Milk actor condemned Oscars producers after he was not given an opportunity to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during the ceremony.
Speaking to GQ at the time, Penn said: “The Oscars producer thought, ‘Oh, he’s not light-hearted enough.’ Well, guess what you got instead? Will Smith!”
He continued his criticism in 2024, accusing the Academy of showing ‘extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the bigger world of expression, and in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imagination and very limiting different cultural expressions.’
So it’s fair to say Penn has not always been the Academy’s biggest supporter, despite now being tied for the most acting Oscar wins by a male performer.
His portrayal of Colonel Lockjaw, a corrupt military figure hunting a revolutionary group known as the French 75, was widely praised. The role earned him a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and now an Oscar. Notably, Penn was absent from those ceremonies as well.
A career frequently surrounded by controversy
Penn has long attracted headlines, both for his combative relationship with the media and for aspects of his personal life.
The 65-year-old actor has built a reputation as a vocal political activist. Throughout the 2000s, he frequently criticized George W. Bush’s administration and later made headlines for interviewing notorious cartel boss El Chapo following his prison escape.
More recently, attention has focused on his relationship with actress and model Valeria Nicov.
The pair were first seen together in September 2024 before making their red carpet debut two months later at the Marrakech International Film Festival.
Nicov accompanied Penn to the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, although she was not present with him at this year’s Golden Globes.
Shortly afterward, the couple was photographed walking together in Los Angeles, suggesting their relationship remains strong.
Nicov, known for appearing in Netflix’s Emily in Paris and the French series Don’t Worry About the Kids, was seen arm-in-arm with Penn as they enjoyed a casual stroll through the city.
However, the relationship drew criticism online after many pointed out the 35-year age difference between the two. Nicov is 30 years old.
The scrutiny is just the latest chapter in a long history of public controversies surrounding Penn’s romantic relationships, and it helps explain why some people are now questioning whether he should keep his latest Oscar.
Social media backlash resurfaces old allegations
Despite being regarded as one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors, with acclaimed performances in films such as Carlito’s Way, Mystic River, Dead Man Walking, Milk, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Penn has faced allegations of abuse linked to his past relationship with Madonna.
The former couple married in 1985, and their marriage was frequently the subject of media attention due to a series of public incidents involving photographers.
That same year, Penn pleaded no contest after being accused of assaulting two journalists in Nashville.
He was also charged with misdemeanor battery following an altercation involving songwriter David Wolinski at Helena’s nightclub in Los Angeles.
Later, claims published in the book Madonna Unauthorized alleged that Penn physically assaulted the singer on several occasions during their marriage. Madonna strongly rejected those allegations in 2015, describing them as ‘completely outrageous, malicious, reckless, and false.’
“I am aware of the allegations that have surfaced over the years accusing Sean of incidents of physical assault and abuse against me,” Madonna said in a declaration submitted as part of Penn’s defense during a $10 million defamation lawsuit involving Lee Daniels.
She continued, according to Deadline: “Specifically, I am aware of the allegations concerning an alleged incident that occurred in June, 1987, whereby (according to tabloid reports), Sean allegedly struck me with ‘a baseball bat.’ I know the allegations in those and other reports to be completely outrageous, malicious, reckless, and false.”
What has happened with situations like this previously?
Although Penn has not been found guilty of abuse in court, some critics and activists are calling for him to be stripped of his latest Oscar, arguing that past allegations alone should disqualify him from the honor.
One person wrote: “Hollywood has always had a complicated relationship with accountability. Talent often gets rewarded even when serious allegations exist.”
Another added: “Never say allegations remove a man’s life. Tonight proves it.”
While a third remarked: “The least deserving win of the night tbh.”
While Penn’s situation is clearly different, as he has not been found guilty of abusing any of his spouses or girlfriends, there is a precedent for the Academy stripping Oscar winners of their awards.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement in 2017, the Academy approved a set of standards of conduct, having voted to expel Harvey Weinstein for his historical s** crimes.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said at the time, in an email that was sent to every Academy member, per the BBC: ”Academy membership is a privilege offered to only a select few within the global community of filmmakers.
“In addition to achieving excellence in the field of motion picture arts and sciences, members must also behave ethically by upholding the academy’s values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity.
“There is no place in the academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognised standards of decency.”
Anyone who violates the standards or compromises ‘the integrity of the Academy by their actions’ could be suspended or expelled.
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