3 Celebrities Banned From the Oscars

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The article discusses three celebrities - Will Smith, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby - who were banned from attending the Oscars ceremony due to various controversies and misconduct. It provides details on the specific incidents that led to their bans by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Why it matters

Award shows like the Oscars are meant to celebrate achievements in entertainment, but they have also become a stage for high-profile controversies. The bans of these celebrities highlight the Academy's efforts to address misconduct and uphold standards of respect and dignity within the industry.

The details

Will Smith was banned for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars ceremony. Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Academy in 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct that helped ignite the #MeToo movement. Bill Cosby was expelled in 2018 after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting a former employee, though his conviction was later overturned.

• In April 2022, the Academy announced a 10-year ban for Will Smith following the on-stage incident.
• In 2017, the Academy expelled Harvey Weinstein shortly after reports of his sexual misconduct were published.
• In April 2018, the Academy voted to remove Bill Cosby from its membership after his sexual assault conviction.
• In June 2021, Cosby's conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but the Academy has not reinstated his membership.

What they’re saying