Ridley Scott will miss his own Honorary Oscar ceremony after a medical procedure
Ridley Scott won’t be at this year’s Academy Governors Awards to collect his honorary Oscar — and the explanation is far more everyday than any Hollywood plot twist.
Right, not the update Ridley Scott fans were hoping for this week. Ridley Scott is about to join the exclusive club of filmmakers getting an Honorary Oscar, but if you were expecting a triumphant appearance on stage in LA, think again.
The man himself won’t actually make it to this year’s Governors Awards after what’s reportedly a “minor medical procedure” put the brakes on transatlantic travel. The 88-year-old director — still very much London-based, and, let’s be honest, suitably intimidating in his own right — will instead accept the honour via a prerecorded speech. So, similar to when celebs get stuck filming somewhere in New Zealand but, in this case, it’s doctor’s orders, not reshoots or wildfires keeping him away.
Ridley Scott, aged 88, has recorded his acceptance and will not travel to Hollywood on medical advice.
Don’t worry, it won’t be a total family no-show from the Scotts. His wife, plus kids and grandkids, are all still heading out to Los Angeles to pick up the award in person. Scott’s absence, then, is literally just him — everyone else will be making the red carpet dash.
What’s actually happening?
Here’s how it shakes out: The Academy will be giving Scott an Honorary Award at the 17th annual Governors Awards, with his video message aired during the big ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom (that’s the swanky venue at Ovation Hollywood). The no-fly advice is down to his medical team, who apparently aren’t up for risking a long-haul post-op flight. And before anyone starts speculating, beyond “minor procedure,” there’s no official info on exactly what was done, or how he’s doing. Classic Scott — keeps it cryptic.
The guest list on the night will still include the rest of his crew: his wife Giannina Facio and the younger generations in the Scott family tree. They’ll be out in force, representing him alongside the other honorary recipients: Glenn Close and animator Floyd Norman. Also getting recognition: producing legends Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, who are bringing home the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.
Scott’s Oscar history (and the overdue bit)
This does mark a major milestone for Scott, whose career has run nearly fifty years — frankly, there aren't many still directing at the top level past their eighth decade. He properly arrived with “The Duellists” in 1977 but cemented his place (and sci-fi street cred) with “Alien” and “Blade Runner”. Since then, the man’s CV looks like a greatest-hits tour of American cinema: “Thelma & Louise”, “Gladiator”, “Black Hawk Down”, “American Gangster”, “The Martian”, and the recent “Gladiator II”, among others.
- Four individual Oscar nominations (Best Director for “Thelma & Louise”, “Gladiator”, and “Black Hawk Down”, plus Best Picture for producing “The Martian”)
- No competitive Oscar wins — every time, someone else got there first
- Collectively, his films (as either director or producer) have racked up a staggering 45 Oscar nominations, with nine wins total
His competitive bad luck streak continues, apparently, but at least now the Academy is giving him the big career “thank you” prize — albeit without him actually there for the moment itself.