Why Richard Gere and 6 More Celebrities Were Banned from the Oscars

• Several celebrities faced bans due to misconduct.
• Actions ranged from advocacy to criminal charges.
• The film academy meted out the consequences.

The 96th Academy Awards occurred on March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The prestigious event saw several show business stars honored for their outstanding work on films released in 2023.

"Oppenheimer," a film by Christopher Nolan, dominated the award ceremony. The lead star in the movie, Cillian Murphy, won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, while co-star Robert Downey Jr. scooped the Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the event.

Among the winners was Emma Stone, who bagged an award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her stint on "Poor Things," and Da'Vine Joy Randolph who walked away with Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "The Holdovers."

While The Academy recognizes talent from showbiz stars, it has also had to cut ties with some renowned figures in the entertainment industry. Hollywood's elite isn't immune to controversy, and the Oscars have seen their fair share.

Over the years, misconduct ranging from criminal charges to unauthorized advocacy has led to notable figures being banned from the Academy Awards. The reasons vary widely, from the distribution of pirated material to taking a stand on human rights, showcasing a spectrum of actions and consequences within the film industry. Here are the stars who have not been exempt from being banned by the organization.

Carmine Caridi's Screeners Scandal

Carmine Caridi, an actor known for his roles in "The Godfather" trilogy, found himself at the center of a piracy scandal. By lending screeners — distributed for Oscar consideration — to a notorious movie pirate, Caridi breached an agreement with the MPAA.

Despite his intentions, this violation led to his expulsion from the Academy in January 2004, marking him as the first member to be ousted for such an offense. Caridi summed up the experience by expressing regret, saying he was doing someone a favor but the man in question betrayed him.

Will Smith's Oscar Night Outburst

In March 2022, Will Smith slapped and screamed profanities at Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. The physical assault occurred after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada-Pinkett Smith, for being bald.

The comedian reportedly went off-script during the ceremony not knowing that the actress has alopecia. Later that evening, the "Bad Boys" star was awarded an Oscar for Best Actor and remained at the event until it was over.

However, that night, he skipped the Academy's Governor's Ball and attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Despite retaining his Oscar and remaining eligible for future nominations, Smith's actions violated conduct standards.

In the wake of the much-publicized controversy, the superstar announced his resignation from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts of Sciences. He released a statement, saying, “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. [...] “I betrayed the trust of the Academy."

The actor and producer later shared another statement concerning what transpired on his Instagram where he admitted that he reacted emotionally. "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive," Smith stated before issuing a public apology to Rock.

"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness," he expressed. Twelve days after a shocking incident, the Academy banned Smith for ten years.

Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski: Expulsions Rooted in Sexual Misconduct

In 2018, Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski were expelled from the Academy amid sexual misconduct allegations and convictions, highlighting the industry's stand against ethical breaches.

Both men were reportedly accused of sexual misconduct by several people. As a result, Cosby was convicted on three counts of aggravated assault. Amid the news, The Academy issued a statement announcing that the Board of Governors voted to expel the public figures "in accordance with the organization's Standards of Conduct."

The Academy emphasized, "The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity."

Adam Kimmel's Downfall

Cinematographer Adam Kimmel, once celebrated for his work, faced also expulsion after it was revealed he was a registered sex offender. He was arrested and charged twice for sexual crimes involving underage girls in 2003 and 2010.

For the initial crime, Kimmel, who is also an actor, pleaded guilty to rape in the third degree in February 2004. However, following his conviction, he continued working in show business as his crime was not yet public knowledge.

Despite his impressive career, Kimmel's past crimes against underage girls came to light, leading to his removal from both the Academy and the American Society of Cinematographers.

Harvey Weinstein: The Fall of a Hollywood Titan

Similarly to his entertainment industry counterparts, Harvey Weinstein also found himself on the wrong side of the law. He was convicted on two counts of sexual assault.

The showbiz titan was handed a 20-year sentence for a first-degree criminal sex act after forcing a production assistant to perform oral sex in 2006. Weinstein was also given a three-year sentence for a third-degree rape.

Weinstein's sentencing to 23 years in prison for sexual assault marked a significant moment in Hollywood's #MeToo movement. After his criminal behavior made headlines, the writer shared a statement expressing remorse for what he had done and revealed he would be going to therapy to become a better individual.

Weinstein's expulsion from the Academy signified a collective industry effort to address sexual predatory behavior. The organization said in a statement that the act of removing Weinstein from the membership was intended "not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over."

The once-glorified film producer who has won several awards and has one Oscar Award under his belt, was found guilty of allegedly sexually harassing or abusing a dozen women.

Aside from being a disgraced showbiz powerhouse, the once-prominent figure thanked in numerous Oscar speeches, was admired by many people who personally praised him through the years during award ceremonies.

Richard Gere's Advocacy Ban

In 1993, Richard Gere used his Oscar presentation speech to advocate for human rights in China, diverging from the script to address a global audience. In his speech, he mentioned that the award show was being watched by 1 billion people worldwide. Knowing this, he wondered whether China was one of the countries that was watching the ceremony that day.

"And the first thought that came to me was, I wondered if Deng Xiaoping is actually watching this right now, with his children and his grandchildren, and with the knowledge that—that—that—what a horrendous, horrendous human rights situation there is in China, not only towards their own people but to Tibet as well," said Gere.

The film star expressed that he wished Xiaoping could take his troops and the Chinese people away from Tibet so they could allow others to live freely and independently. This act led to a longstanding, though unofficial, ban from the Oscars.

Decades later, the actor and humanitarian reflected on the episode, hinting at a change in perspective. "Apparently, I've been rehabilitated. It seems if you stay around long enough, they forget they've banned you," said Gere.

The stories of these celebrities highlight not only personal missteps but also the evolving landscape of accountability in Hollywood. Even some of Hollywood's brightest stars regardless of their status, are above ethical scrutiny or beyond the possibility of redemption.