Michael B. Jordan Shatters Records: Wins Best Actor Oscar for “Sinners”

Michael B. Jordan has clinched an Oscar, making a historical mark in the process!

At the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday night, Michael B. Jordan won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of the SmokeStack Twins in Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners. This victory not only marked Jordan’s first Oscar win but also set a historical precedent as he became the first actor since Lee Marvin to earn an Oscar for playing multiple roles in the same movie.

Lee Marvin previously won the Best Actor Oscar in 1965 for his roles in the comedy-western Cat Ballou, playing both the inebriated gunslinger Kid Shelleen and his evil, silver-nosed brother, Tim Strawn. Marvin’s performance has been celebrated as one of the most unique in the history of the Academy Awards. Until Jordan’s recent win, Marvin had been the sole recipient of an Oscar for a dual role in one film, making Jordan’s performance in Sinners as the twin brothers a significant cinematic milestone.

In Sinners, Jordan brought to life the twin brothers Smoke and Stack, with Smoke being the more rational, strategic thinker and Stack as the more flamboyant, impulsive counterpart. Jordan masterfully differentiated the twins using subtle variations in voice, posture, attire, and demeanor, creating two distinct personalities even when appearing together on screen. Achieving such a convincing portrayal of twins in film is considered a notable technical accomplishment and highlights the significance of Jordan’s Oscar win both for his personal career and for the film industry at large.

During his acceptance speech, Jordan did not mention this unique aspect of his win but expressed deep gratitude towards Coogler, his family—including his father who had traveled from Ghana and his mother who was present at the ceremony—and his fellow cast members.

Michael B. Jordan: I want to thank Warner Bros., and Mike [de Luca] and Pam [Abdy] for believing in this vision of Ryan Coogler. And for their commitment to culture, to original ideas, and to artistry.

He praised Coogler directly, acknowledging him as “an amazing person.”

Michael B. Jordan: It’s an honor to work with you and call you a friend. You’ve allowed me to be seen… I love you deeply, bro.

Though Jordan did not highlight this historical aspect of his win in his speech, Coogler later discussed in a backstage press room interview why Jordan was perfectly suited to play both Smoke and Stack.

Ryan Coogler: From the moment I envisioned these characters, I knew I had to get Mike on board. I hesitated at first, but he reached out to me about another project. When I told him it wasn’t the right time, he was initially upset. So, I had to reveal the film to him sooner than planned, but fortunately, he agreed. I wanted the script to be perfect for him, but he was ahead of me, so I had to catch up.

Jordan shared his approach to differentiating Smoke and Stack with reporters after his win, noting that he uses journaling to delve into their distinct backgrounds and perspectives.

Michael B. Jordan: I write extensive journals for my characters, starting from their earliest memories. This helps me understand where they’re coming from, which informs their decisions. Smoke is quieter and protective, while Stack is more of a slick talker and troublemaker. Imagining them in a lifelong partnership, with all the arguments and scorekeeping that entails, helps build their history and brings out the nuances in their relationship on screen.

The competition for Best Actor was fierce this year, with many expecting Timothée Chalamet to win for his role as Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme, a character inspired by the 1950s table tennis player and hustler, Marty Reisman. Other nominees included Leonard DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.

Beyond Best Actor, Sinners also secured several other awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, and Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson, another of Coogler’s frequent collaborators.