Amy Madigan won the Oscar for supporting actress for her role as Aunt Gladys in “Weapons.” (Los Angeles Times)
Veteran actor Amy Madigan has won the Academy Award for supporting actress for her performance in Weapons, delivering a major career milestone four decades after her first Oscar nomination.
Madigan played the witch-like Aunt Gladys in the supernatural thriller directed by Zach Cregger. The film earned only one Oscar nomination, but it proved enough for Madigan to take home the award.
She beat fellow nominees Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value.
“This is great!” Madigan exclaimed while accepting the award, joking that she had practiced her speech the night before while shaving her legs.
A 40-Year Gap Between Nominations
Madigan’s win comes 40 years after her first Oscar nomination for her role in Twice in a Lifetime.
The long gap set a new record for the longest span between Oscar nominations for an actress.
Reflecting on the difference between the two moments, Madigan joked about what has changed.
“What’s different is I have this little gold guy,” she said, holding up the Oscar statuette.
Ed Harris and Amy Madigan at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo)
Emotional Thanks to Ed Harris
During her speech, Madigan thanked director Cregger for writing what she called a “dream part.”
She also paid tribute to her husband, actor Ed Harris, whom she credited for decades of support.
“He’s been with me forever, and that’s a long-ass time,” she said. “None of this would mean anything if he wasn’t by my side.”
Horror Film Makes Oscar History
Madigan’s victory is also significant for the horror genre.
It marks the first time an actor has won the supporting actress Oscar for a horror film since Ruth Gordon won for Rosemary’s Baby in 1969.
Her performance as Aunt Gladys quickly became a fan favorite during the awards season.
Even ceremony host Conan O'Brien referenced the character in his opening monologue, parodying the witch while running through scenes inspired by several nominated films.
Amy Madigan accepts the award for supporting actor in ‘Weapons’ during the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo)
Awards Season Success
Madigan’s performance in Weapons also earned nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, the Critics Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where she secured additional wins.
Speaking after her Oscar victory, Madigan said she immediately connected with the character when she first read the script.
“As soon as I read it, I knew this woman,” she said. “I knew I could grab it by the throat.”
Sequel Could Be on the Way
Madigan hinted that audiences may not have seen the last of Aunt Gladys.
According to the actor, Cregger has expressed interest in continuing the story with a sequel.
“[Cregger] says, ‘Yes, this is going to happen,’” she said, while acknowledging that projects in Hollywood often take time to materialize.
For now, Madigan says she is still surprised by how strongly audiences have embraced the character.
“Gladys has surprised me,” she said. “I didn’t know y’all wanted to hang out with her.”
