The Academy Awards are synonymous with glamour, historic wins and emotional speeches, but Hollywood’s biggest night has also witnessed moments of controversy that shook the industry. Over the years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken strict action against members whose behaviour violated its Standards of Conduct.
As the Oscars approach, six figures from the entertainment industry remain barred from attending the ceremony due to misconduct, criminal convictions or serious breaches of Academy rules. These bans highlight the organisation’s attempt to uphold ethical standards within the global film community. Here’s a closer look at the six individuals who were banned from the Oscars and the controversies behind the decisions.
Carmine Caridi
Actor Carmine Caridi became the first person ever expelled from the Academy in 2004 after he was found sharing Oscar screening copies with an outsider.
Caridi had been an Academy member since 1982 and routinely received advance film screeners sent to voters during awards season. After a technician named Russell Sprague fixed his VCR, Caridi began lending him the tapes — a practice that continued for some time. “I would send them to him before I even looked at them,” Caridi told The Hollywood Reporter in February 2017. “And then he would copy them and send them back.” The arrangement eventually caught the attention of the FBI, which summoned Caridi to its Los Angeles office and offered him immunity if he identified Sprague. The Academy later expelled him for violating its rules.
Harvey Weinstein
Film producer Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Academy in October 2017 after dozens of women accused him of sexual misconduct. More than 80 women came forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment, sparking global outrage and triggering a major reckoning within the entertainment industry. Before removing him, the Academy condemned Weinstein’s conduct as “repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy.” In 2020, Weinstein received a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape and sexual assault, although legal proceedings and appeals have continued in subsequent years.
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Bill Cosby
Actor and comedian Bill Cosby was expelled from the Academy shortly after his criminal conviction in a sexual assault case. In April 2018, Cosby was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. The verdict led to a prison sentence of three to ten years. Within days of the ruling, the Academy announced it had voted to expel him in accordance with its Standards of Conduct. Cosby was later released from prison in 2021 after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction.
Roman Polanski
Filmmaker Roman Polanski was expelled from the Academy in 2018 because of his past conviction. The Oscar-winning director pleaded guilty in 1977 to unlawful sexual intercourse involving a 13-year-old girl. After spending 42 days in jail, he fled the United States before completing his sentence and has lived in Europe for decades. Despite the controversy surrounding his case, Polanski has continued to work in the film industry internationally.
Adam Kimmel
Cinematographer Adam Kimmel was expelled from the Academy in 2021 after his past criminal record resurfaced. Kimmel had joined the Academy in 2007, but a report later revealed that he had previously been convicted of rape and assault involving minors. Following the revelations, the Academy removed him from its membership, stating that its selection process relies on the integrity of applicants and sponsors to disclose disqualifying information.
Will Smith
One of the most widely discussed moments in Oscars history occurred during the 2022 ceremony when actor Will Smith confronted comedian Chris Rock on stage. Rock had joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, referencing her shaved head while presenting an award. Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about living with alopecia. Shortly after the remark, Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Rock, shocking audiences worldwide. Following the incident, the Academy banned Smith from attending Oscars events and programmes for 10 years starting in April 2022.
While the Oscars celebrate cinematic excellence, these incidents show that even the biggest names in Hollywood are not immune to accountability. The Academy’s actions against these figures reflect its effort to uphold ethical standards and protect the reputation of one of the film industry’s most prestigious institutions.
