Social media users are calling for Sean Penn to be stripped of his latest Oscar.
Penn, who won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role award at last night’s Oscars, became only the fourth three-time male Academy Award winner in the process.
Penn won for his performance as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’.
Sean Penn stayed away from this year’s Oscars
Despite winning his third Academy Award, Penn was nowhere to be seen at last night’s ceremony, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Instead, Kieran Culkin – who won the same award last year – accepted on Penn’s behalf, quipping that this year’s winner ‘couldn’t be here this evening, or didn’t want to.’
Penn has been a regularly prominent critic of the Academy, criticizing them multiple times in previous years.
In 2023, the Milk star blasted the producers of the ceremony for not allowing him to speak about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Penn said at the time, per GQ: “The Oscars producer thought, ‘Oh, he’s not light-hearted enough.’ Well, guess what you got instead? Will Smith!”
More recently, in 2024, Penn lambasted the Academy for exhibiting ‘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, not the Academy’s biggest fan, then. Despite them voting for him to win a record-equaling three Oscars.
Penn’s performance as Colonel Lockjaw, a corrupt military officer pursuing a revolutionary group known as the French 75, received widespread plaudits, earning Penn an Actor Award and a BAFTA as well as last night’s Oscar. He was similarly absent from both of those award ceremonies, too.
A controversial figure
Penn has often courted controversy, sharing a very volatile relationship with the press over the years, as well as being part of some explosive personal relationships, which have made a number of headlines.
The 65-year-old Oscar winner is an outspoken political activist, regularly pouring scorn on George Bush’s administration between 2001-2009, while also memorably interviewing notorious cartel leader El Chapo after he had escaped from prison.
Recently, people were left feeling ‘grossed out’ after discovering that Penn was currently dating fellow actress and model Valeria Nicov.
Penn and Nicov were seen together in September 2024 before making their official red carpet debut two months later at the Marrakech International Film Festival.
More recently, the Moldovan native has accompanied the star at the Cannes Film Festival together in May 2025, but did not make an appearance at this year’s Golden Globes earlier this month.
However, the pair is still going strong as a few days later, they were spotted taking a walk together in Los Angeles.
Nicov, who has been known for her work in Netflix’s hit show Emily in Paris, as well as the French program, Don’t Worry About the Kids, could be seen linking the arm of her Penn as the two looked happy while on a casual stroll through the city.
However, people were left feeling creeped out by the relationship when they addressed the fact that there is a 35-year age gap between the pair (Nicov is 30, for the record, not 100).
It is the latest in a long line of controversies that Penn has faced regarding his romantic relationships – bringing us to why some people are calling for the One Battle After Another award winner to be stripped of his latest gong.
Social media explodes over Sean Penn’s Oscar win
Despite being a highly revered actor, with major credits including Carlito’s Way, Mystic River, Dead Man Walking, Milk, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Penn has been cited as an ‘abuser’ in the past, primarily around his previous relationship with Madonna.
Penn and Madonna married in 1985, with their brief marriage marred by several high-profile outbursts against the paparazzi, with Penn pleading no contest after being accused of assaulting two journalists in Nashville in June of 1985.
Penn was also charged with misdemeanor battery for assaulting songwriter David Wolinski at Helena’s nightclub in Los Angeles.
However, in a book titled ‘Madonna Unauthorized,’ multiple claims were made that Penn struck the pop star several times during their marriage. Madonna, however, branded the allegations, stating they were ‘completely outrageous, malicious, reckless, and false’ in 2015.
“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 short declaration as part of Penn’s defence during a $10m defamation lawsuit the actor was embroiled in with Lee Daniels.
Madonna continued, per 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?
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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