Harrison Ford drops out as presenter at 2025 Oscars after shingles diagnosis (exclusive)

Harrison Ford is pulling out of presenting an award at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards ceremony.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the 73-year-old actor was diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection that causes severe pain and discomfort. Ford was set to present one of the Oscar categories on March 12.

“Unfortunately, this illness has set back his recovery from an earlier shoulder injury and he will be unable to attend the ceremony,” a source close to Ford told THR.

Ford had sustained a shoulder injury during a workout session back in June 2021. He underwent surgery for the injury in March 2022 but maintained that he was on the road to recovery.

The injury, however, resurfaced recently, preventing the Star Wars actor from presenting at the Oscars. Ford is currently promoting his upcoming film, The Menu, which releases on Nov. 4.

Shingles is a painful condition that’s caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is closely related to chickenpox. The virus often manifests as a painful skin rash with small, fluid-filled blisters.

Ford’s absence from the Oscar ceremony is surely a blow to the Academy, which recently underwent a slew of controversies.

Things took a turn for the worse after the nominees for the 95th Academy Awards were announced, with many people calling out the Academy for snubbing popular films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Top Gun: Maverick. The Academy swiftly issued an apology.

Shortly afterward, the Academy also announced that it would be taking “appropriate action” after veteran comedian and actor Chris Rock revealed that he was slapped by actor Will Smith for making a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss during the 2022 Oscars. Smith has since apologized to Rock and the Academy.

We wish Harrison Ford a quick recovery and hope to see him back on the red carpet soon!

Are you looking forward to the Oscars this year? What do you think of Harrison Ford’s absence? Let us know in the comments below!

The Menu releases in theatres on Nov. 4.