At a Glance
- Delroy Lindo receives first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at 73.
- Role: Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller Sinners, which earned a record 16 Oscar nominations.
- The nomination follows a decade-long resurgence sparked by The Good Fight and collaborations with Spike Lee.
- Why it matters: It marks a historic milestone for a veteran actor who has been in the industry for five decades.
Delroy Lindo is now a first-time Academy Award nominee for his performance as Delta Slim in Sinners. The actor, 73, reflected on earning his nod in the Best Supporting Actor category after a career that began 50 years ago.
Early Career Highlights
Delroy Lindo’s career spans film, television, and stage, with roles that have earned him critical acclaim. Some of his most memorable performances include:
- West Indian Archie in Malcolm X (directed by Spike Lee).
- Rodney in Clockers.
- Arthur Rose in The Cider House Rules.
These roles demonstrate the range that Lindo brought to each character, earning him a reputation as a versatile actor.
The Good Fight and Renewed Recognition
About ten years ago, Lindo joined the cast of The Good Fight, a spinoff of The Good Wife, playing law partner Adrian Boseman opposite Christine Baranski. The role introduced him to a new audience and sparked a renewed appreciation for his work.
> “The time that I spent on Good Fight brought into my sphere a slightly different kind of audience,” Lindo said. “Five years after leaving the show, people are still referencing my work in that TV show… and then from there, it took this upward trajectory.”
The series also reunited Lindo with Spike Lee for Da 5 Bloods, portrayed Bass Reeves in The Harder They Fall, and partnered with Kerry Washington on the Hulu series Unprisoned.
Sinners: A New Chapter
- Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, is a vampire thriller that follows a pianist recruited by twin World War I veterans-both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan-to open a juke joint for the Black community in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
The film’s premise centers on vampires targeting the newly opened club, and Delta Slim’s poignant monologue has resonated with audiences. Critics praised the film’s daring narrative and Lindo’s compelling performance.
> “It’s been very special to me that it has resonated for audiences in that way that it has,” Lindo said. “That’s become a special piece of experience for me.”
The film’s success culminated in a record 16 Oscar nominations, marking a milestone for Coogler and the cast.
Oscar Nomination Reaction
When the Academy announced the nominees on Thursday, January 22, Lindo admitted he didn’t know what would happen that morning.
> “I didn’t know what would happen this morning,” Lindo said. “What’s resonating is certainly the recognition, the acknowledgment.”
He reflected on his career, noting that he is proud of his body of work and that this nomination is a new experience, different from past roles.
> “This is a new experience, this is a new time, this is a different piece of work. And I’m thankful that it has been acknowledged.”
Lindo also addressed earlier disappointment over being snubbed for Da 5 Bloods.
> “It’s apples and oranges,” he explained. “This nomination is not a question of making up for it- in my mind anyhow.”
Upcoming Oscars Event
The 98th Academy Awards will take place live on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Lindo looks forward to celebrating with the Sinners cast and crew.
> “I’m excited at the prospect of reconnecting with everybody on this Sinners journey because it’s a special journey,” he said.
Conan O’Brien will return as host, with the ceremony airing on ABC at 7 p.m. ET and streaming on Hulu. The show will move to YouTube in 2029.
Key Takeaways
- Delroy Lindo’s first Oscar nomination at 73 underscores his enduring talent.
- Sinners‘ record 16 nominations highlight the film’s impact.
- Lindo’s career resurgence began with The Good Fight and collaborations with Spike Lee.
- The upcoming Oscars will celebrate a milestone for both Lindo and the Sinners ensemble.
Lindo’s journey from a 50-year-old debut to an Oscar-nominated veteran is a testament to perseverance and artistic dedication.
