VIDEO: Sacha Baron Cohen Dumps 'Ashes' On Ryan Seacrest At Oscars

by UInterviewFebruary 27, 2012, 12:00 amNews >

Though no one was sure exactly what actor / comedian / professional prankster Sacha Baron Cohen had in mind when he showed up at the Oscars decked out in full regalia as General Aladeen, the fictional character from his new film, The Dictator, it's possible that no one expected him to dump an urn full of fake ashes onto the tux of E!'s red-carpet interviewer Ryan Seacrest. Which is why that's precisely what he did.

Despite previous disagreements between Cohen and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences regarding whether or not the actor would be allowed to arrive costumed as his next onscreen persona — a cinematic amalgam of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi — it was announced last minute that Cohen would be allowed to walk the red carpet as The Dictator.

"VICTORY IS OURS!" Cohen-as-Aladeen tweeted on Friday night after the Academy lifted its previous restriction. "What I am trying to say here is that the Academy have surrendered and sent over two tickets and a parking pass!" Oscar producer Brian Grazer even confirmed the news to Extra. "We're thrilled to have him and he'll be on the red carpet dressed as The Dictator."

When Cohen did arrive in character, he carried with him an urn that he claimed contained the ashes of his deceased "friend and tennis doubles partner," former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Upon approaching E!'s Seacrest for some pleasantries in the form of a red carpet interview, Cohen proceeded to spill a good portion of the "ashes" — later reported to be pancake mix.

"I had a feeling something was coming," said Seacrest, who appeared to be flustered at the "joke" as security removed Cohen from his vicinity. Cohen insisted on having the last word, however. "Now if somebody asks you who you are wearing, you will say Kim Jong Il," he said as he was led away.

Seacrest later tweeted that he had, at least, learned a valuable lesson from the incident. "My mom always told me to pack two jackets for red carpets, always wondered why. Now I know."

Watch the incident unfold here: