All the celebrities who are banned from attending the Oscars, and the reasons why

Over the years, a number of celebrities have found themselves NFI to the Oscars, because they’ve swiftly been banned from attending the event.

Some of these snubs are historic, and others have happened in the last few years. The reasons behind celebs finding themselves on the event’s blocklist vary. They’re anything from their conduct there in the past, to criminal convictions.

As it stands, six people remain banned from the Oscars. And it doesn’t look as though these restrictions are being lifted any time soon. So, here’s a rundown of all the celebrities who have found themselves banned from the Oscars, and why.

Will Smith

via Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Nobody is forgetting the Will Smith Oscars controversy in a hurry. During the 2022 ceremony, actor Will Smith clocked comedian Chris Rock in the face whilst on stage. Whilst introducing the best documentary award, Chris made a joke about Will’s wife.

“Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he said. Will then came up to the stage and slapped Chris. As Will returned to his seat, Chris said: “Wow. Will Smith just smacked the sh*t out of me.” The audience fell silent as the actor shouted from his seat: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*cking mouth.”

Following the event, it was revealed Will Smith had been banned from attending any Academy events or programs for the next 10 years.

Harvey Weinstein

via Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock

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Following accusations of sexual assault made against him, Harvey Weinstein was kicked out of the Academy. His behaviour was branded by the Academy as “repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents.”

It was added: “We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of wilful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over. What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society.”

Bill Cosby

via Ricky Fitchett/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

Also following sexual allegations, Bill Cosby was banned. A month after his sexual assault conviction, it was confirmed Bill Cosby would never attend an Oscars ceremony again. A statement confirmed: “The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity.”

In 2018, Bill Cosby was found guilty of drugging and assaulting Temple University staff member, Andrea Constand. He was handed a three to 10-year prison sentence. In June 2021, he was released from prison after a court overturned his conviction.

Roman Polanski

via Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium Agency via ZUMA/Shutterstock

In 2018, Roman Polanski was also banned by the Academy following sexual violence allegations. He pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse after a 13-year-old girl accused him of giving her alcohol and part of a sedative. After this he fled to France.

Adam Kimmel

As a response to his history as a registered sex offender, cinematographer Adam Kimmel was given a lifetime ban from the Academy. He joined the Academy in 2007, but in 2020 a Variety exposé revealed he had been arrested and convicted for rape and assault of minors.

Carmine Caridi

via THA/Shutterstock

Actor Carmine Caridi was banned from the Oscars in 2004, after he was caught in a copyright infringement scandal. He was handed his ban after he was caught lending movie screeners sent by distributors to Academy voters for Oscar consideration.

“They wrote me a letter,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “‘You’re finished.'” The godfather actor was expelled for life, but passed away in 2019.

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