Ridley Scott will not be in person to receive his honorary Oscar. The 88-year-old filmmaker was scheduled to be honoured during the 2026 Governors Awards on Sunday, 15 November, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, but on Monday, 9 November, his representative confirmed to People that he will not be able to attend because he recently had “a really minor procedure” and cannot fly right now.
Scott, who is based in London, has been advised by his doctors not to fly as he continues to heal following the procedure. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that he has pre-taped his acceptance speech for the honorary Oscar, and his wife, actress-producer Giannina Facio, will be making the trip to Los Angeles for the ceremony, along with his children and grandchildren.
A career honoured at 88
The honorary Oscar is one of the film industry’s highest honours, recognising a lifetime of achievement. Scott, the director of Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise and The Martian, has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director three times but has never won a competitive Oscar, making the honorary award a long-awaited recognition.
The Governors Awards, held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honour lifetime achievement and humanitarian work, and this year’s ceremony will also recognise other recipients. Scott’s absence will be felt, but the pre-taped speech means he will still be part of the night, even from London.
What is known — and what is not
The nature of the procedure has not been disclosed, and neither Scott nor his representatives have given further details beyond describing it as “really minor”. There is no suggestion of anything serious, and the emphasis in the reporting has been on the travel restriction rather than the procedure itself. Scott’s representatives have not said when he will be able to fly again.
For fans, the news is a reminder that even the most prolific directors slow down eventually. Scott has directed more than 25 feature films across five decades, and at 88 he remains one of the most active filmmakers of his generation. His honorary Oscar will be accepted in person by his family, with his own words played on screen — a fitting tribute to a director who has always preferred to let the work speak for itself.
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Sources: Just Jared (10 Nov 2026, citing People and The Hollywood Reporter).
