Honestly, if you only know Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, you’re missing the most interesting parts of his career. People spent years watching him play the stoic, metal-armed super-soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was great at it. But his recent run at the awards circuit, specifically the Sebastian Stan Golden Globe double-nomination saga, has finally forced Hollywood to see him as a heavyweight character actor.
It wasn’t just a "good year" for him. It was a career-defining pivot that culminated at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes in January 2025.
Most actors are lucky to get one nomination in a lifetime. Stan walked into the Beverly Hilton with two. He was up for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for A24’s A Different Man.
The Night Sebastian Stan Finally Took Home the Globe
When the envelope opened for the Musical/Comedy category, Stan beat out some massive names. We’re talking about a lineup that included Glen Powell, Jesse Plemons, and Hugh Grant. He won for his role as Edward in A Different Man, a psychological thriller-comedy where he plays an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes a radical facial transformation.
The win was a huge deal, but the speech was what stuck. Stan didn't just do the standard "thank the agent" routine. He shared the win with his co-star Adam Pearson, who actually lives with neurofibromatosis.
"Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end now," Stan told the room. "We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves to it."
It was a raw moment. It felt like he was finally being recognized for the "unhinged" energy he’s been honing since Pam & Tommy.
The Controversy of The Apprentice
You can't talk about his Golden Globe night without mentioning the elephant in the room: The Apprentice. While he won for the A24 film, his nomination for playing a young Donald Trump was the one everyone was whispering about.
Playing a polarizing, living political figure is usually a one-way ticket to a PR nightmare. Stan admitted in the press room after his win that it was "definitely the hardest" role he’s ever taken on. He mentioned having "sleepless nights" over the responsibility of it.
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The movie faced a lot of legal threats and distribution hurdles before it even hit theaters. In fact, Stan claimed during the awards season that other actors were "too afraid" to even do the Variety "Actors on Actors" series with him because of the film's subject matter. Despite the drama, his performance was widely praised for being a "forensic" study rather than a caricature. He didn't win the Drama trophy that night—that went to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist—but the dual nomination alone put him in a very exclusive club of actors who have pulled off that feat.
A Look Back: The Road to the Podium
This wasn't his first time at the dance. If you look back at his Sebastian Stan Golden Globe history, the momentum had been building for years.
- 2023 Nomination: He earned a nod for Best Actor in a Limited Series for Pam & Tommy. He played Tommy Lee, and the transformation was so complete most people didn't realize it was him for the first five minutes.
- 2025 Double Whammy: This was the peak. Winning for A Different Man while being nominated for The Apprentice.
- The Marvel Factor: While the Globes don't usually reward superhero movies, the fame he got from the MCU gave him the "bankability" to take risks on weird indie films like Fresh or A Different Man.
It’s a weird trajectory. He went from a Romanian-born kid in Queens to a teen heartthrob in Gossip Girl, then a blockbuster sidekick, and now he's the guy taking the roles that make publicists sweat.
What This Means for His Future (and Yours)
So, why does any of this matter to the average viewer? Because it signals a shift in what kind of stories are getting rewarded.
Stan’s win for A Different Man wasn't just a win for him; it was a win for inclusive filmmaking. It proved that audiences (and voters) are hungry for stories that don't fit into the typical Hollywood mold. If you're looking to catch up on his best work, don't just stop at the Marvel movies.
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Actionable Insights for Movie Fans:
- Watch A Different Man: It’s available on VOD now. It’s weird, uncomfortable, and brilliant. It explains exactly why he won that Globe.
- Compare the Performances: Watch The Apprentice and A Different Man back-to-back. The physical acting—the way he holds his jaw, his posture, his eyes—is completely different in both. It's a masterclass in range.
- Look Out for The Batman: Part II: Now that he's a Golden Globe winner, the stakes are higher. He’s recently been linked to the role of Harvey Dent in the upcoming Batman sequel, which feels like the perfect "prestige meets blockbuster" move for him.
Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globe win proved he’s no longer just a "Marvel guy." He’s a shapeshifter. Whether he’s playing a rockstar, a real estate mogul, or a man struggling with his identity, he’s become the actor that other actors are now officially afraid to compete with.
Stay updated on the 2026 awards season by following the official Golden Globes site or checking out the latest film reviews on Letterboxd to see where Stan's next projects are landing.