Amy Madigan Wins Oscar for Supporting Role in ‘Weapons’ After 40-Year Wait
Amy Madigan, 75, has won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the horror film Weapons, marking her first Oscar win after a four-decade wait. The award was presented at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
A Long-Awaited Victory
Madigan’s win comes 40 years after her first Oscar nomination in 1986 for her role in Twice in a Lifetime. She beat out fellow nominees Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners: Sinners) to claim the award.1
About ‘Weapons’
Weapons is a horror film centered around the disappearance of 17 elementary school students in a town, with the homeroom teacher and one remaining student attempting to uncover the truth behind the incident. Madigan’s portrayal of Gladys, a villainous character, has been lauded as a standout performance in the horror genre.2
Record-Breaking Win and Industry Impact
Madigan’s win is notable for the length of time between her first nomination and her eventual victory, setting a new record for the longest gap between nominations and a win in the same category. All other nominees in the Best Supporting Actress category were born after 1986.1
Upon receiving the award, Madigan expressed her disbelief and humorously remarked, “What’s different (from 40 years ago)? This time, I received this little ‘golden man’ (Oscar trophy).”1
Industry observers have noted that Madigan’s win carries a broader significance, potentially inspiring actors and encouraging directors to consider overlooked talent. Variety reported that her award sends a message that opportunities can arise at any time and highlights the value of revisiting the operate of experienced actors.1
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Dominates Animation Categories
In addition to Madigan’s win, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters was a major winner at the 98th Academy Awards, taking home the awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The song “Golden” from the film’s soundtrack also previously won a Grammy Award as the first K-pop song to achieve this honor.1, 3 Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong accepted the Best Animated Feature award.1
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