Everyone Wondered Where Sean Penn Was on Oscar Night
LOS ANGELES — Sean Penn added another Oscar to his illustrious career, winning Best Supporting Actor at the 98th Academy Awards for his commanding performance in One Battle After Another. The award was presented by Kieran Culkin, who joked on stage:
“Sean Penn couldn’t be with us tonight. Or didn’t want to, and I will be accepting the Oscar in his place.”
While it is not known why Penn skipped the major Hollywood event, The New York Times reported he was possibly in Europe, where he had plans to visit Ukraine, though the exact nature of those plans was not publicly confirmed.
The three-time Academy Award winner, previously honored for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008), brought intensity and gravitas to this political drama. In One Battle After Another, he delivered a performance balancing restraint with explosive dramatic moments, anchoring the film’s exploration of power, conflict, and accountability.
Highlight of the Night: One Battle After Another dominated the 98th Academy Awards, winning 6 Oscars tonight, including Best Picture, Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Best Adapted Screenplay (Anderson), Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis), and Best Editing (Andy Jurgensen).
Sean Penn’s win adds a third Oscar to his legacy, reaffirming his status as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and formidable actors, proving once again his skill in delivering performances of depth and power.
Oscars 2026: Sean Penn Wins Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another – Where Is He?
Even in his absence, Penn’s performance dominated awards season discussions, and his victory was a highlight of the night.
Awards Season Recap – Best Supporting Actor
- Stellan Skarsgård – Golden Globe winner for Sentimental Value
- Jacob Elordi – Critics Choice Award winner for Frankenstein
- Benicio del Toro – Golden Globe nominee for One Battle After Another, prior Oscar winner for Traffic
- Sean Penn – three-time Oscar winner (*Mystic River*, *Milk*, One Battle After Another)
- Delroy Lindo – first Oscar nomination for Sinners
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