MOVIE NEWS – Harrison Ford will be absent from this year’s Academy Awards, as the Captain America: Brave New World star has been forced to step down from his presenting duties due to illness. While Ford has attended several major award shows recently, including the SAG Awards, Entertainment Weekly reports that the 82-year-old actor is currently recovering at home after being diagnosed with shingles, a highly contagious viral infection.

Shingles, commonly referred to as “adult chickenpox,” is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox in childhood. The illness results in a painful rash that typically appears as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body. According to reports, Ford received his diagnosis on Friday, which means he will be unable to attend the Oscars on Sunday night. Fortunately, sources close to the actor say he is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery soon.

Ford was set to be one of the many A-list stars taking the stage at this year’s Academy Awards. He was scheduled to present alongside Dave Bautista, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Rachel Zegler, and Zoe Saldaña, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Additionally, Whoopi Goldberg was set to return as a presenter, marking her first time in that role in a decade. The 2025 Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will air live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

Harrison Ford’s Strong Start to 2025

Despite this unexpected health setback, 2025 has already been a massive year for Harrison Ford. The Hollywood legend has played key roles in one of the year’s biggest movies and one of its most successful television premieres.

On February 14, Ford made his debut as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in Captain America: Brave New World. Taking over the role from the late William Hurt, Ford not only stepped into Ross’s shoes as the grizzled general but also portrayed his monstrous alter ego, Red Hulk.

While Brave New World didn’t reach record-breaking heights for Marvel Studios, it still performed significantly better than the underwhelming box office results of The Marvels. The film received a stronger audience reception, with particular praise for Ford’s portrayal of Ross. Stepping into a role previously played by Hurt across several MCU films, including his final appearance in Black Widow, was no small task, but Ford delivered a commanding and nuanced performance.

Ford also returned to the small screen as Jacob Dutton in the second season of the Yellowstone prequel series, 1923. The season premiere immediately topped the charts on Paramount+, becoming the most-watched premiere in the streamer’s history. Fans were thrilled to see Ford back in action, further solidifying his presence as a powerhouse in both film and television.

Overall, 2025 has been an incredible year for Ford so far, and while missing the Oscars is unfortunate, it’s unlikely to put a damper on his ongoing success.

Source: Entertainment Weekly