Hollywood actor Sean Penn added another major honour to his career by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 98th Academy Awards for his performance in the film “One Battle After Another.”
However, the veteran actor was notably absent from the ceremony, sparking speculation about his whereabouts during the event.
Reports suggest he may be in Ukraine
According to reports citing anonymous sources, Penn may have been in Ukraine at the time of the Oscars, continuing his humanitarian involvement in the country amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Penn has been a vocal supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has visited the country multiple times since the war began in 2022.
During one of those visits, the actor even gifted one of his earlier Oscar trophies to Zelenskyy, telling him that he could return it once the war was won.
A career marked by activism and humanitarian work
Beyond his achievements in cinema, Penn has gained attention for his extensive humanitarian and political activism.
In the past, he personally helped rescue victims during Hurricane Katrina, assisted with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, and played a role in diplomatic efforts to help free a Brooklyn resident from a Bolivian prison.
His humanitarian work also led to him being named Haiti’s first non-Haitian ambassador-at-large for his relief initiatives following the devastating earthquake.
Documentary work in Ukraine
In 2022, Penn travelled to Kyiv to film a documentary exploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the perspective of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.
His involvement with the country has continued since then, and reports suggest his absence from the Oscars ceremony may be connected to ongoing work related to the conflict.
Despite not attending the ceremony, Penn’s win marks his third Academy Award, further cementing his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors.