There were quite a few stars missing from the 2026 Golden Globes — including some award winners.
Michelle Williams was notably absent from the ceremony on Sunday, January 11, when she won the award for Best Female Actor – Television – Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture for her role in Dying for Sex, leading presenters Kathryn Hahn and Melissa McCarthy to accept the award on her behalf.
“I’m Michelle Williams,” Hahn, 52, declared.
Presenter Wanda Sykes was also tasked with accepting the Golden Globe for Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television for Ricky Gervais, who won for his TV special Mortality.
Keep scrolling to see more stars who skipped the 2026 Golden Globes and why:
2026 Golden Globes Winners List
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams, 45, was busy performing in the play Anna Christie in New York when she won the award for Best Female Actor – Television – Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture.
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais, 64, revealed prior to the awards show that he wasn’t planning on attending despite being nominated for — and winning — Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television.
“I’m probably not going to the Golden Globes … It’s too far to go,” he said on BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life. “It takes a lot to get me off the couch with my cat and my girlfriend watching Netflix. I love the work, I love writing, I love creating, I love stand-up, but all the other stuff I could really do without.”
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated for the second year in a row for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, was busy preparing for her production of Dracula in London.
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Regina Hall
One Battle After Another star Regina Hall missed the Golden Globes due to illness, but she received a sweet shoutout from director Paul Thomas Anderson, when he won Best Screenplay – Motion Picture.
“Regina, who can’t be with us here tonight, she’s not feeling well, she’s one of the first people I gave this script to,” he said in his speech. “She’s been with from the beginning. Great collaborator.”
Billy Crudup
Billy Crudup was nominated for Best Supporting Male Actor – Television category for The Morning Show, but he missed the Golden Globes due to performing in the West End play High Noon.
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Carrie Coon
Carrie Coon, who was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television for The White Lotus, announced that she would not be attending the Golden Globes.
“I won’t be able to support my friends or fawn over the artists I admire @goldenglobes tonight,” she wrote via X ahead of the ceremony. “But I’m grateful for the recognition and I know you’re all just happy to be at the table. #GoldenGlobes2026 #Bug #WhiteLotus.”
Bobby Cannavale
Rose Byrne’s husband, Bobby Cannavale, had perhaps the best reason to miss the awards show — he was buying a reptile.
“I want to thank my husband, Bobby, who couldn’t be here because we’re getting a bearded dragon and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey,” Byrne, 46, said during her acceptance speech for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. “So, thank you. Thank you, baby.”
