Who are banned from the Oscars in 2026? The controversies that led to Will Smith, Harvey Weinstein and others being barred from Academy events

Nillohit Bagchi | Mar 14, 2026, 18:20 IST

Six celebrities remain banned from attending the 2026 Oscars, including Will Smith, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby. From shocking scandals to criminal convictions and piracy violations, the Academy has expelled several high profile figures over the years. Here is the full list and the controversies that led to their bans.

Image credit : X/@PopCravee | From shocking scandals to criminal convictions and piracy violations, the Academy has expelled several high profile figures over the years

The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s biggest celebration of cinema, but not everyone in the industry is welcome at the ceremony. As the 98th Oscars take place on March 15, 2026, several well known figures remain barred from attending the event due to past controversies and serious misconduct.

Over the years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expelled members or banned them from its events for violating its professional standards. These rules expect members to respect colleagues and protect the reputation of the organisation. From shocking onstage incidents to criminal convictions, the stories behind these bans reveal how the Academy has tried to enforce accountability within Hollywood.

Will Smith

Few moments in Oscar history have caused as much global reaction as Will Smith’s confrontation with Chris Rock at the 2022 ceremony. During the live broadcast, Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. She has previously spoken about living with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. Moments later, Smith walked onto the stage and slapped the comedian before returning to his seat and shouting at him.

Jada Pinkett Smith says Oscars slap saved her marriage with Will Smith. She calls Oscars moment the ‘holy slap’ because of the ‘positive things’ that came after. pic.twitter.com/7JNpqF23A5

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 11, 2023

The incident stunned viewers around the world. Smith later apologised publicly, but the Academy launched a formal review of the situation. In April 2022, the organisation announced that Smith would be banned from attending all Academy events, including the Oscars, for ten years. The ban runs until 2032. Although he cannot attend ceremonies, Smith is still allowed to remain an Academy member and can be nominated for awards.

Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein was once one of the most powerful producers in the film industry. That changed dramatically in 2017 when dozens of women came forward with accusations of sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct.

The revelations triggered the global #MeToo movement and forced many organisations to confront abuse of power in the entertainment industry. In response to the allegations, the Academy quickly expelled Weinstein from its membership.

Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. pic.twitter.com/oGRN3VBxR6

— Pop Tingz (@PopTingz) October 22, 2024

The organisation stated that his behaviour was completely incompatible with the values it expected from its members. Since then, Weinstein has faced multiple criminal cases and has been convicted of sexual crimes in both New York and Los Angeles. His removal from the Academy marked a turning point in how Hollywood institutions addressed misconduct.

Bill Cosby

Comedian and actor Bill Cosby was expelled from the Academy in 2018 following his conviction for sexual assault. Cosby was found guilty of drugging and assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. The verdict led to a prison sentence and triggered widespread debate about accountability for powerful public figures.

A former Playboy model submitted a lawsuit Thursday accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and raping her in 1969 😳 pic.twitter.com/P7smNNS0PQ

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 1, 2023

Soon after the conviction, the Academy voted to remove Cosby from its membership. The organisation said the decision reflected its commitment to maintaining respect and dignity within the film community.

Although Cosby was later released from prison in 2021 after a court overturned the conviction on procedural grounds, the Academy has not reinstated his membership.

Roman Polanski

Director Roman Polanski won an Oscar for Best Director in 2003, but his relationship with the Academy has been complicated for decades. Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. After serving a short jail sentence, he left the United States before completing the rest of his punishment and has lived in Europe ever since.

heartbreaking news: roman polanski found alive this morning at 92 💔 pic.twitter.com/QxPhRILEQi

— tawni (@KI11ERKLOWNS) March 10, 2026

For many years he remained an Academy member despite being a fugitive in the United States. However, in 2018 the organisation expelled him following renewed scrutiny of the case during the wider industry reckoning over misconduct. Polanski continues to make films internationally but cannot participate in Academy activities.

Adam Kimmel

Cinematographer Adam Kimmel, known for his work on films such as Lars and the Real Girl, was expelled from the Academy in 2021. The decision came after reports revealed that he had previously been convicted of sexual offences involving minors. The information became widely known years after he had joined the organisation.

Following the revelations, the Academy reviewed his membership and removed him, saying its selection process relies heavily on honesty and full disclosure from potential members. The case also prompted discussions within the organisation about improving its vetting procedures.

Carmine Caridi

Actor Carmine Caridi holds a unique place in Oscar history. He was the first person ever expelled from the Academy. In 2004, the organisation discovered that Caridi had shared confidential movie screeners with another individual. These screeners are sent to Academy members to help them watch nominated films before voting.

The Godfather Part II & III actor Carmine Caridi became the first person permanently banned by the Academy in 2004 after illegally circulating around 60 VHS screener tapes of unreleased films, including Mystic River, Big Fish, The Last Samurai, Master and Commander, and… pic.twitter.com/CL1SWBTFDu

— Films to Films (@filmstofilms_) January 7, 2026

The person who received them, copied and distributed the films illegally. When authorities investigated the piracy network, Caridi admitted that he had lent the tapes. The Academy’s board voted to expel him for violating the organisation’s rules. Caridi later acknowledged that he had broken the guidelines.

GENERAL

Nillohit Bagchi