Sean Penn says watching the Oscars from home was his most enjoyable awards experience

Actor Sean Penn has revealed that skipping the 2026 Academy Awards and watching the ceremony from home turned out to be one of the most enjoyable award-show experiences of his career.

Despite receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in One Battle After Another, Penn chose not to attend the prestigious event. Instead, he dedicated his time to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, where he continued his support for the country amid ongoing challenges. During his visit, he also met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss issues related to the humanitarian situation.

Speaking at a Storytellers event during the Tribeca Festival in New York, the 65-year-old actor explained that he and several of his co-stars had collectively decided to skip the ceremony. According to Penn, the decision was motivated largely by a desire to prioritize their mental well-being and avoid the pressures often associated with high-profile entertainment events.

Reflecting on the experience, Penn said that watching the Oscars from the comfort of his home allowed him to appreciate the ceremony in a way he never had before. He admitted that attending award shows in person had rarely brought him much enjoyment, with his usual feeling at the end of such events being simple relief that they were over.

“I really got to enjoy the Academy Awards for the first time,” Penn remarked. “It was great.” He added that in previous years, the strongest emotion he typically felt after attending was relief rather than excitement or satisfaction.

Ironically, Penn ultimately won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in One Battle After Another, despite not being present at the ceremony to accept the honor in person.

The Oscar-winning actor also opened up about his longstanding discomfort with large gatherings and crowded social environments. He said that he became increasingly aware of this issue after attending the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, which marked his first appearance at that particular event.

Penn explained that the experience reinforced his realization that such settings no longer suited him. While award ceremonies are often seen as glamorous celebrations, he said they have always been socially uncomfortable for him due to the large number of people in attendance.

According to the actor, the Golden Globes served as a turning point. After attending the event, he concluded that he no longer wanted to participate in large-scale social gatherings. Penn stated that he has now made a personal commitment to avoid events involving large crowds whenever possible.

He joked that he is “committed for life” to limiting himself to gatherings of no more than eight people, emphasizing his preference for smaller, more intimate settings over the spectacle and pressure of major public events

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