Sacha Baron Cohen banned from the Oscars

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has pulled Sacha Baron Cohen’s ticket from the upcoming Acadamy Awards, effectively banning him from attending despite that fact that he’s an Academy member and one of the stars of HUGO, which is nominated for 11 awards including Best Picture.

What was the reason? Apparently Cohen had plans to come down the red carpet in full costume as his character from THE DICTATOR, which would mock the very serious (and very boring) spirit of the awards.

“Unless they’re assured that nothing entertaining is going to happen on the Red Carpet, the Academy is not admitting Sacha Baron Cohen to the show,” an insider told Deadline.

A publicity stunt to be sure, but he apparently had plans to change into a tux and attend the overly long and stuffy event just like everyone else.

This isn’t the first time Cohen has courted controversy at the Oscars, of course, as he was asked to be a presenter for the 2007 Oscars and told them he’d only do it if he could do it in character as Borat. They refused, and he didn’t attend.