Summary

• Richard Gere banned for 20 years in 1993 after addressing Tibet issues during the Oscars.
• Carmine Caridi expelled in 2004 for leaking Oscar-nominated movies illegally.
• Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski expelled in 2018 for violating the Academy's code of conduct.

Warning: This article discusses sensitive topics, including child abuse and sexual assault.

The Oscars have hosted a lavish ceremony celebrating the best of the best in cinema every year, but some people were banned and asked not to return. The first Academy Awards happened in 1929, and since then, hundreds of performers, directors, producers, art directors, and even musicians have been honored for their work in the film industry. The year's most anticipated event has boosted the popularity of many notable titles worldwide and made them some of the best movies of all time.

Throughout the year, audiences started to form theories about which movies would be big winners at the Academy Awards, and predictions for the 2025 Oscars began within weeks after the 2024 event ended. However, it has only been in recent years that the Academy has banned public figures from attending their events and casting their votes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has only excluded a few key individuals over the years for various reasons, such as reports of illegal activity and controversial actions during an Oscar ceremony.

The Academy has both banned and expelled individuals. Bans were temporary, and the person could return after a certain period of time. An expulsion, however, was permanent, and that person would never be allowed to be involved with the Academy or its events again.

7 Richard Gere

Banned For 20 Years In 1993

Established actor Richard Gere, whose filmography has included titles such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, First Knight, and American Gigolo, was banned from the Academy in 1993. Gere was issued a 20-year ban after he gave a speech while he presented the award for Best Art Direction. As Gere addressed the audience, he used his platform to discuss the issues in Tibet and called out Deng Xiaoping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party at that time. Gere told viewers that Xiaping needed to “allow people to live as free, independent people again.”

owever, the actor still attended as a guest, such as in 2003 alongside his Chicago co-stars.

The Academy found his speech controversial, and Richard Gere was banned from presenting at the Oscars in future ceremonies for two decades. However, the actor still attended as a guest, such as in 2003 alongside his Chicago co-stars. Chicago received an incredible 13 Oscar nominations and won five, which included Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Actress and producer Martin Richards for Best Picture. Despite his talent, Gere never received an Oscar nomination. Gere returned after his ban was lifted in 2013 to introduce the Best Song nominee "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" performance by Norah Jones from the Ted soundtrack.

6 Carmine Caridi

Expelled In 2004

Carmine Caridi was the first person ever to be expelled from the Academy. The actor was best known as Carmine Rosato in The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III, although he also starred in more minor roles in movies such as 1978’s Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park and 1992’s Ruby. He also appeared as Dan Valenti in the TV show Phyllis from 1976 to 1977. Although Caridi did not receive an Academy Award nomination, he was an active Oscar voter. However, he only held this title for a short time.

An FBI investigation revealed that Caridi had shared unauthorized copies of several Oscar-nominated movies, including The Last Samurai, Mystic River, Big Fish, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Something’s Gotta Give.

In January 2004, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that copies of multiple nominated titles were circulating illegally online. The Academy identified that a voter had leaked these films because of a defining watermark. An FBI investigation revealed that Caridi had shared unauthorized copies of several Oscar-nominated movies, including The Last Samurai, Mystic River, Big Fish, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Something’s Gotta Give. According to the FBI’s findings, the actor had leaked screener versions of the films for nearly three years, which led to his expulsion.

Carmine Caridi passed away in May 2019 while in a coma.

5 Bill Cosby

Expelled In 2018