was one of the people thanked during his shining Best Actor win at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday night and the A-lister reciprocated the recognition .
Jordan, 39, recognized fellow Black Best Actor and Actress winners at the 98th , held at the Dolby Theatre in .
He said: 'I stand here because of the people that came before me: , , , , Forest Whitaker, Will Smith.
'And to be amongst those giants, amongst those great greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys.'
Smith, 57, responded by taking to Instagram on Monday by sharing photos of the younger actor with his shiny new trophy with the simple caption: 'CONGRATS, Beloved. Makin' History!'
Back in April 2022, Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years for slapping but was allowed to keep his award for Best Actor.
Will Smith was one of the people Michael B Jordan thanked during his shining Best Actor win at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday night and the A-lister reciprocated the recognition despite a decade-long ban from the ceremony
Jordan, 39, recognized fellow Black Best Actor and Actress winners - including Smith - during his acceptance speech at the 98th Academy Awards , held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
At the time The Academy released a statement days after the 54-person Board of Governors met as part of it read: 'The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.'
The slap divided Hollywood and the public, with some insisting he should be stripped of his Oscar and not be rewarded for violence while others dismissed it and mocked it on social media.
Smith, 57, responded by taking to Instagram on Monday by sharing photos of the younger actor with his shiny new trophy with the simple caption: 'CONGRATS, Beloved. Makin' History!'
Back in April 2022, Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years for slapping Chris Rock but was allowed to keep his award for Best Actor (pictured)
The slap divided Hollywood and the public, with some insisting he should be stripped of his Oscar and not be rewarded for violence while others dismissed it and mocked it on social media
The most talked about moment of the night will surely be that Jordan earned the top honor Best Actor for his leading role in Ryan Coogler film Sinners
The actor was kissed by his beloved mother Donna Jordan as his name was announced, she was also the first person he mentioned during his riveting acceptance speech
Sinners is centered around two brothers who return to their hometown to start again only to discover that an even greater evil - in the form of vampires - is waiting to welcome them back
Jordan portrayed both brothers in the film: younger and more cheerful sibling Elias 'Stack' Moore (left) in addition to older and more serious twin Elijah 'Smoke' Moore (right)
He was tearful during his acceptance speech as he thanked the audience and voters by saying: 'Thank you everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career. I feel it.
