Michael B Jordan's Emotional Oscar Tribute to Black Icons in Historic Win
In a deeply moving moment at the 2026 Academy Awards, Michael B Jordan paid homage to pioneering black actors as he accepted the Oscar for Best Actor. Jordan secured the prestigious award for his dual lead roles as twins in the critically acclaimed vampire drama Sinners, delivering a speech that resonated with gratitude and historical recognition.
A Speech Rooted in Legacy and Gratitude
Upon receiving the golden statuette, Jordan immediately acknowledged the trailblazers who paved his way, stating, "I stand here because of the people that came before me." He specifically namechecked legendary figures including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith, highlighting their enduring impact on Hollywood and beyond.
His emotional address continued with a heartfelt "God is good" before directly addressing his mother with a playful "Mama, what's up?" Jordan expressed profound thanks to the industry and fans, saying, "Thank you, everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career. I feel it." He emphasised the mutual trust between himself and his supporters, vowing to "keep being the best version of myself I could be."
The actor also showered appreciation on audiences who repeatedly watched Sinners, declaring, "Thank you, because you guys made this movie what it is. I love you. I love you. I love you." This genuine display of affection underscored the film's significant cultural and commercial success.
Sean Penn's Notable Absence and Other Ceremony Highlights
In a contrasting development, Sean Penn secured his third Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of racist military man Colonel Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. However, Penn was conspicuously absent from the Los Angeles ceremony, marking a continuation of his non-attendance at recent awards shows. He triumphed over competitors including his co-star Benicio del Toro, Sinners actor Delroy Lindo, Stellan Skarsgård from Sentimental Value, and Jacob Elordi of Frankenstein.
Kieran Culkin, last year's category winner for A Real Pain, announced Penn's victory with a witty remark: "Sean Penn couldn't be here tonight, or didn't want to, so I will take this for him." Penn had also missed the Baftas and Actor Awards where he won, though he attended the Golden Globes only to be defeated by Skarsgård.
Other notable winners included:
- Amy Madigan, who claimed the first Oscar of the night for her terrifying role as Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons. She paid a touching tribute to her husband of over four decades, Ed Harris, stating, "None of this would mean anything if he wasn't by my side."
- Ryan Coogler, winning Best Original Screenplay for Sinners.
- Paul Thomas Anderson, securing Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for One Battle After Another.
- KPop Demon Hunters, taking Best Animated Film.
- Frankenstein, awarded for Best Costume Design and Makeup & Hairstyling.
Dramatic Moments and Host Conan O'Brien's Commentary
The ceremony featured a rare tie in the Live Action Short category, with both Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers declared winners. Host Conan O'Brien humorously noted, "You just ruined 22 million Oscar pools," referencing the first tie since 2013 when Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty shared the Sound Editing award.
O'Brien, hosting for the second consecutive year, opened with an elaborate sketch dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons, complete with red wig and heavy white makeup. He traversed scenes from Best Picture nominees, including playing table tennis with Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme and attempting to enter the juke joint in Sinners.
Addressing current global tensions, O'Brien remarked, "Last year when I hosted, Los Angeles was on fire. This year, everything is going great." He also jested about Chalamet's recent comment on opera and ballet, quipping about security concerns from "both the opera and ballet communities."
Notably, O'Brien pointed out the absence of British lead acting nominees for the first time since 2012, adding a sharp retort: "A British spokesperson said 'Yeah, at least we arrest our paedophiles'." He concluded by praising the nominated films as embodiments of "global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience and that rarest of qualities, optimism," reflecting on their significance in chaotic times.
