Harrison Ford's absence from the Oscars has come as a surprise to fans and the movie industry alike, as the venerable 82-year-old actor was set to present at the prestigious award ceremony. The star of iconic franchises such as 3CI>Star Wars3C/I> and 3CI>Indiana Jones3C/I> will not appear due to his recent diagnosis of shingles, which was confirmed by his representatives.
According to ABC News, Ford was originally announced as one of the presenters for the March 2025 Oscars alongside notable figures like Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others. Ford's health condition led to his withdrawal from the event on Saturday morning, just one day after the announcement of his participation.
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. It often manifests as painful rashes and blisters. Ford's representative noted he was diagnosed on Friday and emphasized he was resting and managing the situation. Entertainment Weekly reported he was reportedly doing okay after his diagnosis.
Replacing Ford as presenter will be his fellow 3CI>Star Wars3C/I> star, Mark Hamill. Hamill, renowned for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker, has had a prolific career, spanning not only blockbuster films but also successful engagement on Broadway and voice acting for various animated series and video games.
This sudden change marks yet another twist for the Oscar ceremony, which has had its share of surprises over the years. Ford had just presented at the Screen Actors Guild Awards the week prior, where he humorously bombed the monologue of his 3CI>Shrinking3C/I> co-star Jessica Williams by crunching snacks audibly from the audience. Now, many are left wondering how the Oscars will fare without his charismatic presence.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also lined up several other notable presenters for the night, including Halle Berry, Pene9lope Cruz, and Robert Downey Jr. Whoopi Goldberg is set to make her return to the Oscars stage after a decade away, promising to add to the ceremony's illustrious history.
This year’s Oscars will showcase performances from stars like Ariana Grande, who is nominated for her role as Glinda, alongside Cynthia Erivo, nominated for her part as Elphaba in John Chu's adaptation of 3CI>Wicked3C/I>. The performances and awards promise to make for another exciting night in Hollywood.
While Harrison Ford's absence is certainly disappointing, fans and attendees will surely be eager to tune in to see the changes and surprises the ceremony has to offer this year. His health and recovery are now the priority for both his family and fans.