Delroy Lindo Sinners Oscar Nomination: A 73-Year-Old Legend's Long-Overdue Recognition

The wait is finally over for one of Hollywood's most respected icons. At 73 years old, Delroy Lindo has secured his first-ever Academy Award nomination. As announced on January 22, 2026, Lindo is a contender for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller, Sinners. This nod rectifies what many film enthusiasts have called decades of unforgivable snubs by the Academy.

The Journey to the Delroy Lindo Sinners Oscar Nomination

Lindo's career has been defined by powerful performances that often bypassed the awards circuit. He previously spoke to Entertainment Weekly about being "profoundly disappointed" after being shut out for his acclaimed work in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods in 2021. Despite the blow, Lindo refused to quit, stating he had "done enough" varied work to keep going. His persistence paid off five years later with a role that voters simply couldn't ignore.

In 'Sinners', Lindo plays a harmonica and piano player whose performance at a juke joint launch becomes the soul of the film. Director Ryan Coogler praised Lindo's daily commitment, describing his work as an "incredible performance." The film has resonated deeply with audiences, maintaining a 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, further cementing the legitimacy of his nomination.

Sinners Shatters Academy Records with 16 Nominations

Beyond Lindo's individual achievement, 'Sinners' has made history by becoming the most-nominated movie in Oscar history. With 16 nods, it surpassed the record of 14 nominations held by classics like 'Titanic' and 'All About Eve'. The film's global box office haul of $368 million proves that original, non-adapted stories can still dominate both the cultural conversation and the record books.