Which stars are banned from the Oscars: from Harvey Weinstein to Will Smith

The Oscars is not only one of the most important events in the world of cinema, but also a symbol of the highest recognition for actors, directors, and producers. However, not all celebrities can count on a place among the guests of the event. Some stars are permanently or temporarily deprived of the opportunity to participate in the main film event of the year due to scandals, offenses or even criminal offenses.

The latest and one of the most high-profile cases is the ban on Will Smith, who was suspended by the Academy for 10 years after he punched host Chris Rock right during the ceremony. However, the list of celebrities banned from attending the Oscars is much longer and includes names that have become symbols of high-profile scandals in Hollywood. The list was published by The Daily Star.

Will Smith: 10-year ban (2022)

Will Smith had every chance to make the evening of the 94th Oscars the best of his career - he received a statuette for Best Actor in a Leading Role in the movie King Richard. However, his victory was overshadowed by a scandalous incident.

Host Chris Rock made a joke about the hairstyle of Jada Pinkett Smith, the actor's wife, who suffers from alopecia. In response, Will Smith got up on stage and punched the comedian in front of the cameras.

Despite his public apology, the incident cost Smith not only his reputation but also his membership in the Academy. A few days later, he voluntarily resigned, and the Academy's board decided to suspend him for 10 years. This means that until 2032, the actor will not be able to attend any Oscar-related event, although he can formally be nominated and even receive an award.

Harvey Weinstein: a lifetime ban (2017)

Once one of the most powerful film producers in Hollywood, Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Academy after a series of revelations of sexual harassment and rape. His case became the starting point for the #MeToo movement, which changed the perception of the culture of silence in the film industry.

In 2017, when dozens of women accused Weinstein of sexual assault, the Academy urgently convened a meeting and voted to expel him. The producer was later sentenced to 39 years in prison for rape and sexual harassment.

Bill Cosby: a lifetime ban (2018)

The star of the iconic "The Cosby Show" fell out of favor after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting basketball player Andrea Constand. In 2018, the Academy expelled Cosby and issued a statement emphasizing that its members must adhere to high ethical standards.

Although Cosby's conviction was overturned in 2021 due to procedural errors, his expulsion from the Academy remained in effect.

Roman Polanski: a lifetime ban (2018)

The famous director, winner of the Oscar for The Pianist, has not returned to the United States for more than 40 years due to the threat of arrest. In 1978, he pleaded guilty to having unlawful sexual intercourse with Samantha Gamer, a minor, and fled to Europe before his sentencing.

Despite his scandalous past, Polanski continued to receive awards, and in 2003 he even won the Oscar for Best Director. However, after the Academy tightened its policies in 2018, he was expelled from the organization.

Adam Kimmel: a lifetime ban (2021)

The cinematographer, who worked on Capote and Lars and the Real Girl, was expelled from the Academy after his crimes were revealed. Kimmel has been convicted twice of sexual offenses against minors and his name is on the sex offender registry.

The Academy stated that his expulsion was part of its policy to maintain moral standards in the film industry.

Carmine Caridi: a lifetime ban (2004)

Unlike other cases, the American actor Carmine Caridi was expelled not because of sexual or criminal offenses, but for copyright infringement.

In 2004, the Academy found out that Caridi had passed screeners of Oscar nominees to unauthorized persons, after which the films were leaked online. This became a precedent, and the Academy subsequently introduced stricter controls over the confidentiality of screen copies.

Richard Gere: 20-year ban (1993)

Unlike the others on this list, Richard Gere was not expelled from the Academy, but was unofficially banned from appearing at the ceremonies due to a political statement. In 1993, while presenting the award for Best Director, Gere used his speech to criticize the Chinese Communist government and human rights violations in Tibet.

His name effectively disappeared from the ceremonies for two decades. However, in 2003 he returned to the Oscars with the team of Chicago, and in 2013 he again hosted one of the nominations.

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