Delroy Lindo, 73, Shares His Joy After Receiving First Oscar Nomination for Sinners
Delroy Lindo at the Gotham Film Awards on Dec. 1, 2025.
Credit :
John Nacion/Variety via Getty
Delroy Lindo Earns First Academy Award Nomination at 73
Delroy Lindo, a celebrated actor with a lengthy career, has garnered his first Academy Award nomination at the age of 73. He is recognized for his role as Delta Slim in Sinners, a vampire thriller directed by Ryan Coogler.
Reflecting on the significant milestone, Lindo expressed his surprise about the nomination. “I didn’t know what would happen this morning,” he told PEOPLE after the Academy’s announcement. “What’s resonating is certainly the recognition, the acknowledgment.”
Having made his screen debut nearly fifty years ago, Lindo is perhaps best known for his collaborations with director Spike Lee. His performance in Sinners has earned him a place in the Best Supporting Actor category, alongside a film that has set a new record with 16 Oscar nominations.
“I’m proud of all of it… I’m proud that I’m still in the game,” he shared, reminiscing about previous roles such as West Indian Archie in Malcolm X and Rodney in Clockers. He noted that his recent part in Sinners stood out, contributing to his first Oscar nomination.
Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim in ‘Sinners’.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
This nomination comes during a resurgence in Lindo’s career, bolstered by his role in The Good Fight, a spinoff of The Good Wife. He remarked that the series brought him a new audience, referring to the ongoing referencing of his performances from the show even five years after its conclusion.
“I think that represents an uptick. Yeah, that’s an uptake,” Lindo added, highlighting a series of notable performances leading up to Sinners.
In Sinners, Lindo portrays a pianist recruited by twin World War I veterans, played by Michael B. Jordan, who open a juke joint for the Black community in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The establishment becomes a target for vampires, providing a unique narrative that resonated with audiences. Lindo expressed gratitude for the impact of his poignant monologue in the film, stating, “It’s been very special to me that it has resonated for audiences in that way; that has become a special piece of experience for me.”
From left: Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton in April 2025.
John Phillips/Getty
Following the recognition for his role in Sinners, Lindo acknowledged that he had previously felt overlooked for his performance in Da 5 Bloods. While candid about his disappointment at the time, he now sees his nomination as a separate achievement, saying, “this is a new experience, this is a new time, this is a different piece of work.”
As the Oscars approach, set for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Lindo is eager to celebrate with the cast and crew. “I’m excited at the prospect of reconnecting with everybody on this Sinners journey because it’s a special journey,” he said.
The ceremony will be hosted live by Conan O’Brien and broadcast at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, with the award show scheduled to transition to YouTube starting in 2029.
