7 stars who missed the 2026 Oscars: Sean Penn, Hailee Steinfeld, Brad Pitt, and more

Allison DeGrusheMon, March 16, 2026 at 4:43 PM UTC

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Sean Penn; Hailee Steinfeld; Brad PittCredit: Dominique Charriau/WireImage; Dia Dipasupil/Getty; John Nacion/FilmMagicKey Points -

The 98th Academy Awards were held on Sunday, March 15.

Sean Penn, who won Best Supporting Actor, was notably absent from the ceremony.

Other stars who skipped the awards show included Brad Pitt, Hailee Steinfeld, and Tom Holland.

The 2026 Oscars wrapped up awards season with a night full of big wins, surprises, and a few notable no-shows.

Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another dominated the evening, taking home six awards, including Best Picture and the inaugural Best Casting trophy. One winner who wasn't in the room, though? Sean Penn, who won Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw.

While presenting the award, last year's Best Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin joked, "Sean couldn't be here this evening — or didn't want to be — so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf."

Here's everything we know about why Penn — along with a few other celebrities — missed the 2026 Oscars.

01 of 07

Sean Penn

Sean Penn at the 'September 5' premiere on Nov. 14, 2024 in Los AngelesCredit: Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

Sean Penn wasn't at the Oscars to pick up his Best Supporting Actor trophy. According to a New York Times report, the 65-year-old actor prioritizied a trip to Ukraine for activist work over accepting his Academy Award (a representative for the actor declined Entertainment Weekly's request for comment).

Penn skipped several major awards shows, including SAG's Actor Awards and the BAFTAs, both of which awarded him Best Supporting Actor, solidifying his frontrunner status. He did make an appearance at the Golden Globes, though, where cameras caught him smoking indoors.

02 of 07

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt during a photocall for 'F1' on June 09, 2025 in Mexico CityCredit: Manuel Velasquez/Getty

F1 star Brad Pitt was nowhere to be seen at the 2026 Oscars, even though he was nominated as a producer of the Best Picture nominee. No word on why he opted out of the ceremony, but F1 still took home one trophy from its four nominations: Best Sound.

03 of 07

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton at the United States Grand Prix on Oct. 22, 2023 in AustinCredit: Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty

Seven-time F1 world champion and F1 producer Lewis Hamilton also didn't make it to the 2026 Oscars. He was busy racing in the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing third — his first podium with Ferrari and first since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024.

04 of 07

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Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld at 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' in November 2019Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Hailee Steinfeld, who played Mary in the Oscar-winning horror film Sinners, also didn't attend the 2026 Oscars. She hasn't commented on her absence, but fans suspect it has to do with her pregnancy. The actress and her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, announced they were expecting their first child in December 2025.

Michael B. Jordan, who won Best Actor for his dual role as the Smokestack twins in Sinners, gave a nod to Steinfeld during his acceptance speech. "Hailee, at home, she's, you know, getting ready to have a baby right now," he said, thanking her for "being the other half" of his character Stack.

05 of 07

Motaz Malhees

Motaz Malhees attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Feb. 22, 2026 in LondonCredit: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty

Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees, one of the leads in the Best International Feature Film nominee The Voice of Hind Rajab, was unable to attend the 2026 Oscars. He claimed he was blocked from entering the U.S. because of President Donald Trump's travel ban.

"I had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear. But I will not be there. I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship," Malhees wrote on Instagram.

He added, "It hurts. But here is the truth. You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice. I am Palestinian, and I stand with pride and dignity. My spirit will be with The Voice of Hind Rajab that night. Good luck to all of you. Our story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard."

06 of 07

Tom Holland

Tom Holland arrives at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, CalifCredit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

With all the rumors swirling about Tom Holland and Zendaya allegedly being married, fans were curious if he'd show up at the 2026 Oscars. The Spider-Man actor did make it to a pre-Oscars party hosted by WME and the Motion Picture Television Fund's Night Before Benefit, but he didn't make an appearance at the actual awards ceremony. Zendaya, on the other hand, was there presenting Best Director with her The Drama costar Robert Pattinson.

07 of 07

Connor Storrie

Connor Storrie at the CHANEL Dinner to Celebrate Coco Crush on Jan. 07, 2026 in Los AngelesCredit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Connor Storrie has been nonstop since the hockey romance series Heated Rivarly exploded in popularity. In the past few weeks alone, he hosted Saturday Night Live and presented at the 2026 Actors Awards less than 24 hours later.

Fans were hoping he'd make it to the Oscars, but only his costar Hudson Williams showed up. Storrie did turn up for the Vanity Fair Oscars party, though, where he and Williams hit the red carpet in matching sheer brown outfits.

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