Michael B. Jordan has won the Best Actor award at the Academy Awards for his role in the supernatural drama Sinners.
The 39-year-old actor earned the prestigious honour for portraying twin brothers battling a dark supernatural force in the film. With the win, Jordan joins a select group of Black actors who have claimed the Best Actor Oscar, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith.
Jordan’s victory came after building momentum with a win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards two weeks earlier. In the Best Actor category, he beat nominees Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent and Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon.
An emotional Jordan used his acceptance speech to honour those who paved the way for him in the industry. “I stand here because of the people who came before me,” he said.
Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners follows the story of twin World War I veterans who return home and open an underground juke joint during the Prohibition era. The characters, Smoke and Stack, attempt to protect their community while facing attacks from mysterious white vampires.
The project also marks another successful collaboration between Jordan and director Ryan Coogler. Their partnership previously produced acclaimed films such as Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther.
Born on February 9, 1987, in California and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Jordan began his career as a child model before transitioning into television and film. Early appearances in shows like The Wire and Friday Night Lights helped launch his acting career before he moved fully into major film roles.
