Conan O'Brien performed as the character Aunt Gladys during the opening sketch of the 98th [1] Academy Awards.
The appearance marked a high-profile comedic start to the ceremony, blending the prestige of the Oscars with a character from the horror film "Weapons". By stepping into the role of Aunt Gladys, O'Brien used the global platform to bridge the gap between mainstream awards glamour and niche cinematic horror.
The performance took place March 15, 2026 [1], in Los Angeles. O'Brien, serving as the host, used the cold open to introduce the audience to the character's specific comedic energy. The sketch was designed to launch the evening's proceedings with a high-energy visual gag, featuring O'Brien in full costume to mimic the film's persona [2].
Industry observers said that the choice of a horror-themed character for the opening of the 98th [1] edition of the awards was a departure from traditional variety-style openings. The sketch relied on the contrast between the formal environment of the Academy Awards and the eccentric nature of Aunt Gladys.
O'Brien has previously said that Aunt Gladys from "Weapons" is a great comedy character [3]. This personal interest translated into the live performance, where he focused on the character's specific traits to engage the crowd. The segment served as the primary catalyst for the night's early momentum, setting a tone of irreverence for the rest of the ceremony [2].
Because the event occurred in the heart of Hollywood, the performance was witnessed by both the live audience of industry peers and millions of viewers worldwide. The use of the Aunt Gladys persona allowed O'Brien to maintain his identity as a comedian while paying homage to a specific cinematic creation [1].
“Conan O'Brien performed as the character Aunt Gladys during the opening sketch of the 98th Academy Awards.”
The use of a horror-film character to open the Academy Awards suggests a shift in the ceremony's approach to entertainment, moving away from standard celebrity tributes toward more surrealist and genre-bending comedy. By leveraging a character from "Weapons," the production attempted to capture a younger, genre-savvy demographic while maintaining the traditional spectacle of the Oscars.
