Sean Penn Claims Third Oscar with Supporting Win for ‘One Battle After Another’

Sean Penn secures the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 'One Battle After Another' at the 98th Academy Awards but chooses not to attend the event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 9:38 AM EDT

Source: AP News

A Victory in Absentia

The award was presented by last year’s Best Supporting Actor winner, Kieran Culkin, at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 15. When Penn’s name was announced, the lack of a walk to the stage confirmed rumors that the actor would not be present to accept his third Academy Award. Penn previously won Best Actor for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008).

While no official reason for his absence was provided during the telecast, the win contributed to a massive night for One Battle After Another, which also secured Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. The film's cast and crew, including lead Leonardo DiCaprio, were present to celebrate the film’s multi-award sweep.

Supporting the Political Narrative

In One Battle After Another, Penn plays a key figure within the shifting alliances of a group of political activists. Critics have praised his performance as a "masterclass in subtlety," providing a grounded counterpoint to the high-stakes generational power struggles depicted in the film.

Backstage, Paul Thomas Anderson reflected on Penn’s contribution to the project, noting that the actor’s intensity brought a necessary weight to the historical themes. Despite Penn’s absence, his win was seen as a validation of the film's ensemble strength, which was further highlighted by the inaugural Best Casting win for Cassandra Kulukundis.