Sean Penn, the Oscar-winning star of 'One Battle After Another', has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi for a unique custom Oscar statuette, crafted from salvaged metal of a railcar destroyed by Russia. This gesture came after Penn chose to skip the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony, where he won Best Supporting Actor, in order to visit war-torn Ukraine.
Penn's Absence at the Oscars and Ukrainian Tribute
On Sunday night, the 65-year-old actor became the fourth male performer to secure his third Oscar, but he was notably absent from the Dolby Theatre. Instead, Penn traveled to Kyiv, reinforcing his long-standing activism and support for Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. In a clip shared on social media by Pertsovskyi, the CEO presented Penn with the handmade trophy, explaining its poignant origins.
A Symbolic Gift from the Heart
"You're missing the Oscars, and plus you gave the last one to the president," Pertsovskyi remarked, referencing Penn's earlier gift of an Oscar trophy to Zelensky during a visit following the 2022 Russian invasion. "So we made this one," he continued, unveiling the statuette. "This is made from the railcar that was damaged by the Russians. The metal survived, so we put some words here. It's very special for us. It's not golden but it's very real and from the bottom of our hearts."
Penn, visibly moved, hugged Pertsovskyi and thanked him, describing the gift as "treasures." In the post's caption, Pertsovskyi added that Penn opted for the trip to Ukraine over the Oscar ceremony, and they couldn't leave their "great friend and loyal Ukrainian Railways passenger without an award," presenting the "Iron Oscar" on behalf of the team.
Oscars Night and Culkin's Quip
At the ceremony, Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his role as narcissistic Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in Paul Thomas Anderson's revolutionary epic 'One Battle After Another'. He triumphed over co-star Benicio Del Toro, Delroy Lindo, Stellan Skarsgård, and Jacob Elordi, all of whom attended the event. Kieran Culkin, the previous winner in the category, presented the award and humorously noted Penn's absence.
"Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening. Or didn't want to," Culkin quipped in his wry tone. "So I'll be accepting the award on his behalf." Penn's no-show was not entirely unexpected, as he had also missed several pre-Oscar awards, including the Baftas, where he similarly won Best Supporting Actor.
Penn's Enduring Support for Ukraine
Penn has been one of the most high-profile allies of President Zelensky during the war, frequently visiting Ukraine and using his platform to advocate for the country. His decision to prioritize this solidarity over the glitz of Hollywood underscores his commitment to the cause. The custom Oscar, forged from war-damaged metal, serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and friendship amid adversity.
This incident highlights the intersection of celebrity activism and global politics, with Penn's actions resonating beyond the entertainment industry. As Ukraine continues to face challenges, such gestures of support from international figures like Penn bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian and geopolitical struggles.
