Hollywood'S Castaways: The A-Listers Banned From The Oscars

Hollywood's Glittering Night with Drama Behind the Curtains

The Oscars – where Hollywood royalty gathers annually to celebrate its brightest stars on the grand stage of The Dolby Theatre. But even among the glitz and glam, some A-listers have found themselves uninvited due to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s strict code of conduct.

Will Smith's Controversial Moment

Among the notable names missing from the list is Will Smith, who found himself banned in 2022 after the infamous episode where he slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony. The tension exploded when Chris made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, unaware of her alopecia condition. Will reacted swiftly, slapping Chris on stage and yelling, "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth!" This outburst led to a 10-year ban from the Oscars.

“Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me," Chris Rock exclaimed in shock after the incident.

Despite the ban, Will retained his Best Actor award and has publicly accepted the Academy's ruling, stating he respects their decision.

The Truth Behind Richard Gere's Exile

In another tale of Oscar exile, Richard Gere spent nearly two decades off the Academy stage after his impromptu political speech at the 1993 Oscars. Invited to present an award, Gere launched into a passionate address on China's human rights abuses in Tibet, which ruffled many feathers in the Academy. Though initially frozen out, Gere insists there are no hard feelings, stating his activism was always his guiding principle.

Other Stars in the Shadows

Several other high-profile celebrities have faced the Academy's ban hammer. Harvey Weinstein was expelled in 2017 following sexual abuse allegations, a decision echoed by multiple industry bodies. Bill Cosby, too, faced a lifelong ban after his conviction for sexual assault in 2018.

Cinematographer Adam Kimmel found himself blacklisted in 2021 for statutory offenses, while Roman Polanski was permanently expelled in 2018 due to his notorious legal history in the US. Notably, Carmine Caridi became the first to face a permanent ban in 2004 after distributing unauthorized film copies.

These stars, once fixtures of the Oscars, now reside in the annals of Hollywood's storied past, each with a unique story that led to their fall from grace.