The result feels relatively expected after months of unusual chaos in the category. Penn emerged as the front-runner after winning the equivalent awards from BAFTA and SAG-AFTRA, the two precursor groups with the most key overlaps in voting membership with the Academy.

But Penn had previously lost the Critics Choice Award to Sentimental Value’s Stellan Skarsgard, who was nominated for the Oscar.

Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, Penn drew wide acclaim for his transformative villainous turn in One Battle as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a vivid avatar for contemporary American authoritarianism.

It’s Penn’s first Oscar for a supporting performance, having previously been recognized by the Academy for his lead turns in Mystic River and Milk. His other nominations were all for lead roles too: Dead Man Walking, I Am Sam and Sweet and Lowdown.

With this third Oscar, he ties the all-time record for male acting wins, joining Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Penn was also nominated this year against Sinners Delroy Lindo, and his One Battle After Another costar, Del Toro, who won several critics’ awards in the lead up to the big show.

“There’s a part of you that never leaves the theater seat where you were 17,” Penn said. “You’re watching your heroes up there. And then, suddenly, you’re sitting next to people who’ve become that for someone else.”