Frances McDormand a double Oscar winner for ‘Nomadland’

LOS ANGELES — Frances McDormand has two more Oscars. She may hang on to them a little more tightly.

She won best actress Sunday night for her performance in “Nomadland,” which also nabbed best picture. As a producer on the movie, she collected a trophy as well.

McDormand kissed her director-husband, Joel Coen, and rose from their table inside Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to make her way to the stage for one of the shortest speeches of the night.

“I have no words,” she said. “My voice is in my sword. We know the sword is our work and I like work. Thank you for knowing that and thanks for this.”

In “Nomadland,” McDormand plays Fern, who hits the road after the death of her husband and loss of her job at a plant that is shut down. She buys a van and seeks seasonal work, meeting fellow nomads and learning survival skills along the way.

“My happiest moment tonight is when Fran won,” said Chloé Zhao, who became the second woman and first of colour to win directing honours. “She really is ‘Nomadland.’”

McDormand skipped the virtual media room, although she ducked in when Zhao and the other producers were talking, apparently to switch out trophies before leaving just as quickly.

McDormand now has three best-actress Oscars. She won in 2018 for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and had her trophy briefly stolen during the post-show Governors Ball. It was quickly recovered. Her first Oscar came in 1996 for “Fargo.”

The 63-year-old actor won over front-runner Carey Mulligan of “Promising Young Woman” and Viola Davis of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Andra Day of “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” and Vanessa Kirby of “Pieces of a Woman” were first-time nominees.

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This story corrects the number of best actress wins by Frances McDormand. She has three.

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For complete coverage of this year’s Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards

Beth Harris, The Associated Press