Oscars 2026: Michael B Jordan Wins Prestigious Award For Role In Sinners

 

Michael B. Jordan took home a historic award at the 98th Academy Award ceremony, otherwise known as the Oscars. The actor cast in the leading role in the film, Sinners, directed by Ryan Cooglar, received the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the event, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. That was JB's first Academy Award. 

Sinners was a highly successful film at the box office, grossing $48 million domestically on its opening weekend and finishing its theatrical run at $370 million globally. However, Sinners was not the first film directed by Ryan Cooglar with such a performance. Black Panther, a superhero film he directed, was also successful, crossing a billion-dollar benchmark in global gross. JB was cast as the villain while the late actor Chadwick Boseman took the lead role. 

Earlier in the year, JB received the Best Outstanding Actor at the Black Reel Awards. He was nominated for the award at the Baftas but lost out to I Swear lead actor Robert Aramayo. At the Golden Globes, he lost out to Wagner Moura from The Secret Agent. 

SidneyvPoitiers was the first actor of Michael B. Jordan's ethnicity to receive an Academy Award in a leading role. The late actor received the award in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field.    

See below for a list of African Americans who have won the Oscar for Best Actor:

1. Michael B Jordan (2026)

2. Will Smith (2022)

3. Jamie Fox (2005)

4. Forest Whitaker (2007)

5. Denzel Washington (2001)

6. Sudney Pontier (1964)