While the world watches the red carpet, a select group of industry professionals is busy doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) isn’t just a faceless organization; it is comprised of over 10,000 members, with the Actors Branch making up the largest voting bloc. To join, an actor must be sponsored by two current members or receive an Oscar nomination, which triggers an automatic invitation. As we approach the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, March 15, 2026, these ten stars will be among those submitting their final ballots to determine who takes home the gold.
Ariana Grande
After her powerhouse performance as Glinda in the global phenomenon Wicked, Ariana Grande was officially invited to join the Academy’s Actors Branch in the summer of 2025. Her nomination for Best Supporting Actress made her an automatic candidate for membership. Now a voting member, Grande has transitioned from a pop princess to a dual-threat industry titan with a say in the future of musical cinema and dramatic acting alike.
Jason Momoa
The Aquaman and Dune star was part of the massive “Class of 2025” invited to diversify and expand the Academy’s ranks. Jason Momoa brings a unique perspective to the voting body, representing the blockbuster action and sci-fi genres that have historically struggled for recognition in major categories. His membership signifies the Academy’s ongoing effort to include more diverse voices from the world of high-octane global cinema.
Mikey Madison
Following her breakout, Oscar-winning turn in Anora last year, Mikey Madison became one of the youngest and most influential new members of the Academy. As the reigning Best Actress winner, her invitation was a foregone conclusion. Madison represents the “new guard” of Hollywood—actors who have successfully navigated the bridge between independent arthouse hits and mainstream stardom, and who now help decide the fate of their peers.
Stephen Graham
A veteran of British grit and prestige television, Stephen Graham was invited to join the Academy in June 2025 following his “career high” performance in the hit drama Adolescence. Known for his roles in The Irishman and Boiling Point, Graham is a “actor’s actor” whose membership reinforces the Academy’s respect for raw, character-driven performances. His vote is a significant addition to the international contingent of the Actors Branch.
Aubrey Plaza
Known for her dry wit and increasingly daring dramatic choices in films like Emily the Criminal and Megalopolis, Aubrey Plaza joined the voting ranks in 2025. Plaza has spent the last few years reinventing her image from a comedic staple to a formidable dramatic lead. As an Academy member, she now participates in the “Casting” and “Acting” branches’ deliberations, helping to elevate the kind of unconventional storytelling she has championed throughout her career.
Kieran Culkin
After a historic sweep of the 2025 awards season for his role in A Real Pain, Kieran Culkin took his place as an official Oscar voter. The Succession star’s transition to film royalty was completed with his Best Supporting Actor win, which served as his “golden ticket” into the Academy. Culkin’s inclusion is part of a broader trend of television heavyweights successfully claiming their seat at the table of the film industry’s highest governing body.
Danielle Deadwyler
Since her critically acclaimed performance in Till, Danielle Deadwyler has been a vocal advocate for artistry in the industry. She was officially invited to join the Academy in 2025, a move many saw as a long-overdue recognition of her talent. Deadwyler is known for her meticulous approach to character, and her role as an Academy voter allows her to help address the systemic oversights that have historically affected underrepresented artists in the awards race.
Andrew Scott
The “Hot Priest” himself became an Academy member in 2025, following a string of lauded film performances in All of Us Strangers and Ripley. Andrew Scott brings a wealth of experience from the West End and prestige cinema to the voting process. His membership highlights the Academy’s deepening ties with the UK acting community, ensuring that international performances are given a fair shake during the intensive winter screening season.
Jodie Comer
Fresh off her haunting performance in the horror sequel 28 Years Later, Jodie Comer was invited into the Academy fold in 2025. Comer has quickly become one of the most sought-after actresses in the world, moving effortlessly between television icons and cinematic leads. As an Oscar voter, she now holds the power to influence the “Best Actress” race she is so often predicted to dominate in the coming years.
Robert Downey Jr.
A “Disney Legend” and veteran of the industry, Robert Downey Jr. has been a member of the Academy for years, but his role has shifted into that of an elder statesman. Since his Best Supporting Actor win for Oppenheimer, Downey has been an active participant in Academy initiatives and mentorship programs. This Sunday, he returns not as a nominee, but as a presenter and a seasoned voter whose ballot carries the weight of a four-decade career in the spotlight.