Stellan Skarsgård was honored at the 2026 Golden Globes with a win for performance by a male actor in a supporting role, a moment that highlighted both his long-standing career and his belief in the power of cinema.
The veteran actor received the award on Sunday for his performance in Sentimental valueusing his short but heartfelt speech to reflect on filmmaking and the importance of watching movies on the big screen.
On stage, Skarsgård admitted that the win came as a surprise.
“Obviously I wasn’t prepared for this because I thought I was too old,” he said, drawing warm laughter from the audience.
He went on to thank his wife, Megan Everett-Skarsgård, describing her as “a brutal support, tough lover and very educational.”
He also credited his children, joking that they helped shape his achievements.
“I play a father who is a bad father, and my kids have really told me what a bad father is,” he said, keeping his spirits light as he acknowledged the personal connection to the role.
In addition to the personal thanks, Skarsgård emphasized what the win meant for the film itself.
He expressed that proudly Sentimental valuea small Norwegian production with limited resources was seen on such a global stage.
He noted how meaningful it was for a film without major commercials to reach audiences around the world through recognition like this.
Skarsgård ended his speech with a passionate message about the theater experience.
“Hopefully you’ll see it in the cinema, because they’re an extinct species now. In a cinema where the lights go down and eventually your chair … the pulse with some other people. It’s magic. Cinema should be seen in cinemas.”
His words drew strong applause and resonated with many in an industry still navigating changes in how movies are viewed.
Sentimental valuedirected by Joachim Trier, Skarsgård stars alongside Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning.
The film is about a famous director who tries to repair his relationship with his daughters while preparing a new film with an American actress.
Skarsgård’s performance has already garnered international attention, earning him a nomination for Best European Actor at the European Film Awards.
He previously won a Golden Globe for his work in the television miniseries Chernobyl.
At this year’s ceremony, Skarsgård competed in a strong supporting actor category that included Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Sean Penn, Paul Mescal and Adam Sandler.
His win added another milestone to an illustrious career and reinforced his message about why cinema, especially in theaters, still matters.
