It was a historic night for Michael B. Jordan at the 98th Academy Awards. In one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 awards season, Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor Oscar for his powerful performance in Sinners, where he played twin brothers Smoke and Stack in a southern vampire epic directed by Ryan Coogler.
The win marks a major milestone — Jordan is now only the sixth Black man in history to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He joins an iconic list that includes legends like Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith.
When Jordan stepped on stage to accept the award, he was visibly emotional as he thanked the people who helped shape his journey.
The actor started by thanking his parents for their sacrifices and support throughout his career. He also showed love to the cast and crew of Sinners, including Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and Hailee Steinfeld.
Jordan also gave a heartfelt shoutout to his longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, who won Best Original Screenplay earlier in the night.
“I’m so honored to call you a collaborator and a friend,” Jordan said to Coogler during his speech.
He continued by acknowledging the trailblazers who paved the way before him.
“I stand here because of the people who came before me — Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith,” Jordan said. “To be amongst those giants, those greats, my ancestors… thank you to everyone who supported me and my career. I was only able to do this because you all believed in me.”
The emotional moment capped off a huge night for Jordan and marked another major milestone in his already impressive Hollywood career.
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