Amy Madigan just woke up to a career-spanning moment that has left her stunned and grateful. The veteran actress, who portrays the menacing Aunt Gladys in last summer’s horror film Weapons, received her second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress on Jan. 22, 2026.
At a Glance
- Amy Madigan (75) nominated for Oscar after winning Critics’ Choice Award
- First Oscar nod in 1986; 40-year gap between nominations
- Weapons‘ sole nominee at the ceremony; competing against Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor
- Oscars set for Sunday, March 15, 2026; host Conan O’Brien
Amy Madigan’s reaction to the nomination was candid and full of emotion. “I’m just kind of stunned by the whole journey that I’ve been on,” she told News Of Los Angeles immediately after the announcement. “This is just kind of another piece of it that I was not expecting, but I’m just very happy and gratified and it’s just a reflection on the film Weapons and how people are responding to it. So that – nothing is a better feeling than that.”
Oscar Nomination
Madigan’s nomination follows her win at the Critics’ Choice Awards earlier in the month, where she secured Best Supporting Actress for Weapons. The award propelled her into the Oscar race, where she now shares the category with:
- Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Her nomination is particularly noteworthy because Weapons is the film’s only representative at the ceremony. Publicists for the movie had instructed her to keep her phone on in the morning, anticipating a potential nomination. “So I was woken up in a very unusual, surreal, pleasant way,” she laughed.
Career Highlights
Madigan’s Oscar journey spans four decades. Her first nomination came in 1986 for her role in Twice in a Lifetime. Forty years later, she finds herself back at the Academy Awards, this time accompanied by her husband, Ed Harris- a four-time nominee himself.
When asked what this long-term recognition means, she reflected on perseverance. “It just means that you can have a long career. And I’ve had a long career and I’m continuing to do that,” she said. “People always say, ‘If you have a dream, follow it,’ et cetera. Those are true things when actors and writers and directors get up there and say that because it’s a long, arduous trip, it takes a lot of work. Don’t be deterred. And it’s really true. When a good piece of material comes by, the actors, they want to grab it by the throat. It’s exciting. That’s why we do what we do. So it’s all been kind of a whirlwind, but very exciting.”
Other Award Nominations
Beyond the Oscars, Madigan has been recognized across several major award bodies:
| Award | Category | Outcome | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critics’ Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | Early 2026 |
| Golden Globes | Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture | Nominated | Jan. 11, 2026 |
| The Actor Awards (formerly SAG) | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | Mar. 1, 2026 |
The Golden Globe nomination was particularly competitive, with Teyana Taylor taking the award over Madigan. At the Actor Awards, she shares the category with Odessa A’zion (Marty Supreme), Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Teyana Taylor.
The Road Ahead
The 2026 Oscars will air on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on Hulu. Conan O’Brien is returning as host, continuing his long-running role. The ceremony will also mark the first time the Academy Awards will stream on YouTube, a change slated for 2029.
Madigan’s journey underscores the enduring nature of a career built on dedication and resilience. Her recent nomination, coupled with her historic first nod in 1986, highlights how an actor can remain relevant and celebrated across decades.
Key Takeaways
- Amy Madigan, 75, receives her second Oscar nomination after a 40-year gap.
- She won the Critics’ Choice Award for Weapons earlier this month.
- Weapons‘ only nominee, she competes against a strong field of actresses.
- The Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will air on March 15, 2026.
- Madigan’s story is a testament to perseverance and the timeless nature of talent.
