Harrison Ford will not be presenting at the 97th Academy Awards after being diagnosed with shingles, his representatives confirmed.
The 82-year-old actor received the diagnosis on Friday, leading to his decision to withdraw from the event. Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, results in a painful rash and blisters. The virus, which also causes chickenpox, remains in the body and can reactivate later in life.
Ford had been scheduled to present alongside Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Downey Jr. His departure was first reported by Entertainment Weekly.
He was last seen publicly at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where he became part of a widely shared moment. During co-star Jessica Williams’ “I Am An Actor” speech, he was spotted in the background attempting to sneak a bite of food.
Shingles, while not life-threatening, can be painful and lead to complications such as nerve pain that lingers after the rash clears. The condition is contagious to those who have never had chickenpox or the shingles vaccine. A vaccine, first approved by the FDA in 2006, is recommended for adults over 60.
The Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will proceed at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, airing live on ABC and streaming on Hulu for the first time.
