The “Sinners” actor won for his leading performance over Chalamet, who was widely expected to take the trophy.

Viola Davis stunned on Actor Awards stage as Michael B. Jordan pulls off shocking upset over Timothée Chalamet

The "Sinners" actor won for his leading performance over Chalamet, who was widely expected to take the trophy.

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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on March 2, 2026 12:47 a.m. ET

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The mood on stage at Sunday's 2026 Actor Awards was anything but sinful, as history-making Oscar winner Viola Davis expressed shock and delight upon announcing that *Sinners* star Michael B. Jordan had pulled off a stunning upset over Timothée Chalamet.

As Davis ripped open her envelope, her mouth dropped open and she shouted Jordan's name, while attendees rose to their feet to give the *Sinners* actor a sustained ovation.

Jordan won the prize for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his dual role in Ryan Coogler's horror hit, which also recently broke the Oscars record for most nominations for a single film (with 16). Chalamet was widely expected to win the Actor Award for his performance in *Mary Supreme*, after triumphing at January's Golden Globes in the equivalent category.

Michael B. Jordan wins at Actor Awards for 'Sinners'.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Davis could be heard shouting, "Oh! Oh! Oh!" as the camera cut to Jordan making his way up to join her on stage, with a later shot showing Davis beaming while Jordan received congratulatory gestures from the audience. As Jordan joined Davis, she embraced her friend before he gave a moving speech about rising through the ranks of Hollywood to achieve his newfound status as a SAG winner.

"I don't even know where to begin. I wasn't expecting this at all. And I just want to quickly say that I'm so honored and privileged to be nominated in categories with people, actors, and humans that I love, I love their work and what you contribute to our craft," Jordan said. "This ride has been unbelievable. Thank you for welcoming me in and making me feel seen."

The live shot also cut to Chalamet clapping for Jordan from his seat at the *Marty Supreme* cast table.

Viola Davis shocked as Michael B. Jordan wins at 2026 Actor Awards.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Timothée Chalamet explains why Christopher Nolan put him in a headlock and gave him a noogie

See all the celebrity looks at the 2026 Actor Awards

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Not long after at the Actor Awards, the *Sinners* cast won the night's top competitive prize, as Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, and more won the SAG-AFTRA union's award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Jordan's solo victory at the Actor Awards — formerly known as the SAG Awards — throws the Oscars' Best Actor category into a bit of chaos, as Chalamet was previously thought to be the frontrunner, one year after he scored another Best Actor nomination from the Academy for his performance as Bob Dylan in* A Complete Unknown*.

Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in 'Sinners'.

Chalamet's 2025 Actor Awards acceptance speech for that role also captured interest, as he set a momentous goal for himself on stage at the event — and even referenced Davis by name when telling the audience that he wanted to be "one of the greats" in his field.

"I'm inspired by the greats. I'm inspired by the greats here tonight," he said. "I'm as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there. So I'm deeply grateful to that. This [award] doesn't signify that, but it's a little more ammo, a little more fuel to keep going. Thank you so much."

See the full list of winners from the 2026 Actor Awards.

- Awards Shows & Events

- The Actor Awards

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