Credit: Far Out / Gage Skidmore

Oscars 2025: Harrison Ford pulls out of presenting following health issues

Sun 2 March 2025 21:14, UK

Harrison Ford has been forced to withdraw from presenting an award at this year’s Oscars following a health issue.

News recently broke that Ford has been forced to pull out of the awards show after the Star Wars actor was diagnosed with shingles.

The actor was diagnosed on Friday and was therefore unable to fulfill his presenting duties at the 97th Academy Awards. While the illness is not usually life-threatening, it can be more serious for older individuals.

Healthline notes the illness: “While shingles itself isn’t usually a deadly disease, it can lead to conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be fatal.” With the possible severity of the illness forcing Ford out of the event, fans have shared their best wishes with the actor online.

Ford will no longer be a part of the presenting team. Instead, stars such as Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, June Squibb, Bowen Yang, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Robert Downey Jr, will keep up the roles.

The Oscars will begin tonight, and a host of incredible movies will battle it out for the chance to be entered into the history books with The Brutalist, Emilia Perez and Anora battling it out for the major ‘Best Picture’ prize.

Keep up to date with all the events of this year’s event live with Far Out.