Actress Amy Madigan picked up her first Oscar for best supporting actress on Sunday for her role as Gladys in the supernatural horror film “Weapons,” her first win since she was nominated in the same category 40 years ago.
Madigan spoke to ABC News’ Lara Spencer after the ceremony about what it was like coming out on top in a formidable category that also included nominees Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor, all of whom she shouted out in her acceptance speech.
Amy Madigan speaks with Lara Spencer backstage after winning best supporting actress Oscar for her role in “Weapons.”
ABC News
“I was totally surprised by the accolades that Gladys has been receiving,” Madigan said. “And people really like my work, which is what you want.”
“Gladys was such a great part. But I never thought it would end up at this,” she added.
During their chat, Madigan shared what she thought of Oscars host Conan O’Brien starting the awards show by playing Gladys.
“He was pretty good actually. People just fall in love with her eccentricity, and you don’t get to play those kind of parts that often, you know?” she said. “I do that in my own life, much to the chagrin of my family and dogs.”
Conan O’Brien talks to Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons”, backstage at the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Richard Harbaugh/The Academy via Reuters
She added that she saw O’Brien backstage during the Oscars ceremony and told him he did a “pretty good job” as Gladys.
“[And] he goes, ‘Yeah, you did a lot better,”” she said. “He did a good job!”
Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Weapons’ at the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Madigan is proving it’s never too late to achieve your dreams: Her win on Sunday comes four decades after she was nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Sunny Sobel in the drama “Twice in a Lifetime,” in which she starred alongside Gene Hackman, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, Ally Sheedy and Brian Dennehy.
“It’s 40 years ago that I didn’t get the Oscar the first time,” she said, speaking with Spencer, “but I’ve been playing music and acting professionally since I’ve been 19 years old. I’m 75 now.”
Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons” poses with Ed Harris at the Governors Ball after the 98th Academy Awards, March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, Calif.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
In her acceptance speech, Madigan remarked on the difference between the two experiences, saying jokingly, “Everybody’s asking me in the press … ‘Well, it’s been 40 years, what’s different about this time?’ What’s different is I’ve got this little gold guy!”
Elsewhere in her acceptance speech, Madigan thanked her daughter Lily Harris and longtime husband Ed Harris.
“Most of all, I want to thank my beautiful daughter Lily and her husband Sean — and, of course, all the dogs,” she said. “But the most important is my beloved Ed, who’s been with me for forever, and that’s a long-ass time … None of this would mean anything if he wasn’t by my side.”
