Michael B. Jordan has been nurturing a performance akin to "Sinners" for over two decades. And now, as a reward for his immense dedication and talent, he has secured the Best Actor Oscar—a victory that resonated with audiences worldwide.
As last year's winner, Adrien Brody, announced Jordan's name on stage, igniting a frenzy of celebration within the Dolby Theatre. Teyana Taylor, a fellow nominee for her role in "One Battle After Another," joined the standing ovation, exclaiming "Yes!" as she mouthed the words.
As Jordan made his way through the backstage photo and interview rooms, he was met with thunderous applause. This win marked his first Oscar. "I've been doing this for 25 years," he said backstage, "and there are many people who have seen me grow in this industry. They looked out for me when they didn't have to."
Jordan is eager to pay it forward. "I'm passionate about supporting the next generation," he said. "I lead by example—I don't talk much; I act. I want to be an inspiration."
As the sixth Black man to win the Best Actor trophy, Jordan joins an esteemed list of actors, including Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, and Sidney Poitier. "I stand here because of the people who came before me," he said on stage. "Thank you to everyone in this room and at home who has supported me throughout my career."
The other nominees included Timothée Chalamet for "Marty Supreme," Leonardo DiCaprio for "One Battle After Another," Ethan Hawke of "Blue Moon," and Wagner Moura in "The Secret Agent." Chalamet had been a strong contender leading up to the Oscars, but Jordan's victory at the Actor Awards gave him a boost in the final days of voting.
"Sinners" reunited Jordan with writer-producer-director Ryan Coogler, marking their fourth collaboration since their debut film in 2013. "You're an amazing person," Jordan told Coogler from the stage. "You gave me the opportunity and space to be seen."
Jordan's breakthrough film role came in Coogler's "Fruitvale Station," where he received critical acclaim for playing a real-life man killed by police. Their subsequent collaborations include "Creed," "Black Panther," and now "Sinners."
Jordan's initial success came in television, with pivotal roles in "The Wire" in 2002, followed by daytime dramas like "All My Children" and "Friday Night Lights." He and Chadwick Boseman, who played together in "Black Panther" and were close friends until Boseman's death from colon cancer in 2020, dedicated Jordan's NAACP Image Award to him that year.
A 39-year-old who also produces and directs, Jordan was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2020. He shared Oscar night with his mother, Donna, who hugged her son upon hearing his name, as well as his father Michael A. Jordan and two siblings. He embodies the values he was taught growing up in Newark, New Jersey.
"I'm just walking my path, trying to be locked in," he said backstage. "Dream big, be kind, and be honest—that's how I try to live."
