Harrison Ford Withdraws from Oscars Ceremony After Shingles Diagnosis

Harrison Ford will not be gracing the stage at this year's Academy Awards after being diagnosed with shingles, according to multiple reports. The 82-year-old actor is reportedly recuperating and resting after his diagnosis on Friday, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.

Shingles, for those lucky enough not to know, is a painful illness caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. According to the CDC, about one in three Americans will experience shingles at some point, and it can lead to complications like nerve pain or even vision loss. Ouch. While vaccination is the best prevention, it remains unclear whether Ford had been vaccinated.

Ford recently had a lighthearted viral moment at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he was filmed munching on a cracker mid-ceremony while sitting with his "Shrinking" co-stars. As his co-star Jessica Williams addressed the audience during the "I am an Actor" segment, Ford's casual snacking stole the scene. The audience erupted in laughter, and Williams jokingly quipped, "I told him to turn away! Don’t look!" before continuing with her speech.

Ford graciously stepped out of the shot during Williams' moment but returned afterward to share a laugh and embrace with her. Honestly, the man has mastered effortless charm.

The Hollywood legend, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1986 for "Witness," has been a part of Oscars history before. Most recently, he reunited with Ke Huy Quan on stage in 2023, decades after they starred together in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Quan, who won Best Supporting Actor that year for his role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once," shared a heartfelt moment with Ford during the ceremony.

Ford's absence from this Sunday's event leaves a noticeable void, but his health clearly takes priority. The Academy Awards will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.