HARRISON FORD DROPS OUT OF OSCARS WITH ONLY ONE DAY NOTICE
THE WARNING…
Harrison Ford, the iconic 82-year-old actor known for his roles in "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars," has withdrawn from his scheduled appearance as a presenter at the 97th Academy Awards, set to take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.
This decision comes after Ford was diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The condition, characterized by a painful rash and blisters, has forced the veteran actor to prioritize his health and rest, with reports indicating he is "doing okay" following the diagnosis received on Friday, February 28. Entertainment Weekly first reported the news, noting that Ford officially stepped down from his Oscars role on the morning of Saturday, March 1.
Ford’s withdrawal from the Oscars is a notable absence, as he was announced just days earlier, on Wednesday, February 26, as part of a star-studded lineup of presenters that includes Robert Downey Jr., Gal Gadot, Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Margaret Qualley, Rachel Zegler, and Zoe Saldaña. His recent public appearance at the 2025 SAG Awards on February 23, where he humorously interrupted his "Shrinking" co-star Jessica Williams during a broadcast moment, showed no signs of his impending health challenge. However, the sudden onset of shingles has sidelined the actor, who remains active in the industry with current projects like the TV series "1923" and "Shrinking," as well as his upcoming role in Marvel’s "Captain America: Brave New World."
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Shingles manifests as a band of raised red dots that develop into fluid-filled blisters, often appearing on the torso, trunk, or face, and can cause significant pain. While the virus lies dormant in individuals who have had chickenpox, it can reactivate later in life, particularly under stress or with a weakened immune system—factors that may have contributed to Ford’s condition.