Jordan received the honour on Sunday for portraying twin brothers caught in a battle with sinister forces in the vampire-themed film directed by Ryan Coogler. The victory follows his recent success at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he also won Best Actor two weeks earlier, strengthening his momentum during the awards season.
The 39-year-old actor edged out a competitive lineup of nominees including Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent, and Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon.
With the win, Jordan joins a small group of Black actors who have secured the prestigious Best Actor Oscar, following in the footsteps of Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith.
Accepting the award, an emotional Jordan acknowledged those who paved the way for his success.
“I stand here because of the people who came before me,” he told the audience.
A Standout Role in ‘Sinners’
Set in 1930s Mississippi during the era of racial segregation, Sinners blends historical drama with supernatural elements. The film follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack — both World War I veterans — who return home after working in organised crime in Chicago.
Hoping to start fresh, the brothers attempt to open a secretive juke joint during the Prohibition in the United States era, offering locals a place to escape hardship through music, alcohol and the blues. However, their plans take a dark turn when a group of white vampires arrives, seeking both blood and the cultural power of the music.
Jordan’s portrayal of the troubled twins has been widely praised, with critics highlighting the emotional depth and intensity he brought to the dual roles.
Longtime Collaboration With Ryan Coogler
The film continues Jordan’s long-standing creative partnership with director Ryan Coogler, who has cast the actor in all of his feature films. Their collaboration began with the critically acclaimed Fruitvale Station (2013), where Jordan played Oscar Grant, a young Black man fatally shot by a police officer.
They later teamed up for Creed, where Jordan starred as boxer Adonis Creed, and the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther, in which he portrayed the complex antagonist Killmonger.
Coogler has previously praised Jordan’s on-screen presence, describing his ability to make audiences instantly connect with his characters.
From Television to Hollywood Stardom
Born in California in 1987 and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Jordan began his career in modelling at age 11 before transitioning into acting. His early television appearances included roles in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, the soap opera All My Children and the drama Friday Night Lights.
He later moved into film, appearing in Red Tails, a 2012 war drama about the Tuskegee Airmen — the first African American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.
Jordan also gained recognition in the superhero genre, playing Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four and later returning to the Marvel universe in Black Panther and its sequel.
Expanding His Role Behind the Camera
In recent years, Jordan has expanded his involvement in filmmaking beyond acting. He has co-produced projects such as Just Mercy and Without Remorse, and made his directorial debut with Creed III.
He is also set to direct and star in a new adaptation of The Thomas Crown Affair, expected to reach cinemas in 2027. The role of the sophisticated art thief was previously portrayed by Steve McQueen and Pierce Brosnan.
Looking ahead, Jordan has expressed interest in directing projects in which he does not appear on screen, signalling a continued evolution in his career within the film industry.