After over 40 years in the acting industry, Marquette University College of Arts & Sciences alumna (‘72) Amy Madigan won her first Oscar for her role as Aunt Gladys in the 2025 horror film, “Weapons,” directed by Zach Cregger.
This is Madigan’s second win for her role in “Weapons,” having won an Actor Award two weeks ago. She set another record for having the longest gap — 40 years — in between Oscar nominations. Her last nomination was for her role in “Twice in a Lifetime” in 1986, also for “Best Supporting Actress.”
Aunt Gladys, the antagonist in “Weapons,” is responsible for the disappearance of 17 children in the film, which Oscars host Conan O’Brien made the center point of his cold open.
O’Brien dressed up as Aunt Gladys — sporting the character’s iconic red wig and bright makeup — and had around 17 children chase him through remakes of scenes from various films nominated for awards this year.
“Best Supporting Actress” was the first-announced award of the night, which has been a competitive category this year. Though Madigan won the Actor Award, Teyana Taylor from “One Battle After Another” won the Golden Globe in early January. Both actresses were up for the award again at the Oscars.
In addition to Taylor, Madigan beat out Elle Fanning in “Sentimental Value,” Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in “Sentimental Value” and Wunmi Mosaku in “Sinners.”
After actress Zoe Saldaña presented the award, Madigan hugged her husband Ed Harris and walked up to the stage to accept the award. Her acceptance speech began with laughter and a smile before she spoke on the importance of thanking those who helped her get to this point.
“You’re not rattling [names] off,” Madigan said. “They’re people that mean something to you; that you couldn’t be here without them.”
Madigan also thanked her fellow nominees. She said when she was traveling alone for “Weapons” filming, the “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” casts welcomed her into their communities.
Throughout her speech, her excitement and nervousness were on display as she said that she was so “flummoxed” as her legs were shaking.
This was the only Oscar nomination for “Weapons,” and the show marked the end of the 2026 awards season.
This article was written by MaryKate Stepchuk. She can be reached at [email protected].
