From Glory To Banishment: The Oscars' Unwelcome List

Discover who's been shown the door by the Oscars and why – it's not just Will Smith!

Davy

• Published in Film & TV
• March 8, 2024

Every year, the Oscars celebrate the crème de la crème of the film industry, but not everyone gets to join the party. In a twist that's caught the eye of movie buffs and gossip hounds alike, some of Hollywood's biggest names find themselves on the Oscars' banned list.

From unexpected outbursts to political statements gone wrong, these bans range from a few years to a lifetime. Dive into the details of who's out and why, including the infamous slap that made Will Smith a no-show for a decade.

The Oscars, Hollywood's night of nights, is where stars shine brightest. Yet, not all tales from this glamorous event have fairy-tale endings. Some celebrities, including the likes of Will Smith, have found themselves banned from attending. The reasons? They range from on-stage altercations to off-screen controversies.

In 2022, the Oscars witnessed a moment that would go down in history for all the wrong reasons. Will Smith, reacting to a joke made by Chris Rock about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, stormed the stage and slapped Rock. This act of aggression led to Smith being banned from the Oscars for ten years, a decision made by the Academy to uphold respect and dignity at their events.

But Smith isn't the only one who's faced the Academy's wrath. Richard Gere, known for his roles in the '80s and '90s, was banned for 20 years after he used his Oscars presentation as a platform to criticize the Chinese government, highlighting the human rights issues in Tibet. Despite his ban, Gere joked years later about being "rehabilitated" by the Academy.

Bill Cosby, once a beloved American comedian and actor, found himself permanently banned following a conviction for sexual assault.

Despite his release from prison in 2021, the Academy has made it clear he's not welcome back.

Carmine Caridi, known for his roles in "The Godfather" series, was the first to be expelled by the Academy.

His offense? Circulating VHS tapes of movies, a violation of his agreement to safeguard screeners. Though he wasn't found criminally responsible, the damage was done.

Harvey Weinstein, a powerful figure in Hollywood, was expelled after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced.

His actions, deemed "repugnant" by the Academy, led to a 23-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from the Oscars.

Roman Polanski, despite his acclaim as a filmmaker, was expelled over a decades-old charge of unlawful sex with a minor. Attempts to extradite him to the U.S. have failed, but his expulsion stands as a testament to the Academy's stance on ethical standards.

These bans, varying in reasons and lengths, highlight the Oscars' commitment to maintaining a standard of conduct that respects human dignity and the integrity of the film industry.

As the Oscars continue to celebrate cinematic achievements, the shadow of these bans serves as a reminder of the consequences that come with actions deemed unacceptable by the Academy.

Davy