The latest Irish news from the entertainment world brings a major Hollywood update: Sir Stephen Fry, Jacob Elordi and Jenna Ortega are among the high-profile names invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The new intake highlights the Academy’s continued push to recognise global talent across acting, directing, editing and other key film disciplines.
A total of 529 artists and executives have been offered membership to the organisation behind the Oscars. While this story sits outside the usual flow of RTE news, Ireland breaking news and Dublin news, it is the kind of international culture update that regularly interests readers following Irish news today and major entertainment developments.
Irish News Spotlight: Who Has Been Invited to the Academy?
The 2026 invite list includes a broad mix of established stars, rising performers and behind-the-scenes creatives. Among the best-known names are:
- Sir Stephen Fry
- Jacob Elordi
- Jenna Ortega
- Teyana Taylor
- Mia Goth
- Josh Gad
- Josh O’Connor
- Jon Bernthal
- Jemaine Clement
- Julia Garner
- Simu Liu
- Anthony Ramos
- David Dastmalchian
- Kenneth Choi
- Suzy Eddie Izzard
- Jenny Slate
- Lily Rabe
The Academy said 95 of the invitees are Oscar nominees and 21 are winners, underlining the prestige of this year’s class. Elordi, for example, was recognised at the 2026 Oscars for his role in Frankenstein, while Teyana Taylor also earned a nomination this year.
How Academy Membership Works
Unlike many professional bodies, Academy membership is not something candidates apply for directly. Instead, the process works through sponsorship, with branches recommending individuals based on their contribution to cinema. Oscar nominees are automatically considered in the year of their nomination and do not need sponsors.
Nine invitees this year were selected for multiple branches, meaning they must choose one branch if they accept membership. That detail reflects the increasingly cross-disciplinary nature of modern filmmaking, where many creatives work across performance, production and development.
More Than Actors on the List
The Academy’s invitations go far beyond screen stars. This year’s group also includes:
- Directors Josh and Benny Safdie
- Weapons director Zach Cregger
- Disney executive Josh D’Amaro
- Maggie Kang, creator of KPop Demon Hunters
- Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles
- Film editors, make-up artists and hairstylists
For readers who usually track Irish independent, The Journal IE, Irish Times and Breaking news Ireland, the significance is clear: the Academy is broadening its reach across both blockbuster and independent storytelling.
Representation Remains a Key Focus
One of the strongest themes in this announcement is diversity. According to the Academy, 42% of the invitees are women, while 56% come from underrepresented communities. That signals an ongoing effort to reshape the voting body behind the Oscars and make it more reflective of the wider film industry.
Academy chief executive Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor praised the incoming group, saying the invitees have made exceptional contributions to global filmmaking. Their statement reinforces the Academy’s wider commitment to representation, inclusion and equity.
Why This Entertainment Update Matters
For followers of Irish news, major arts and culture stories like this show how international entertainment institutions are evolving. With figures such as Stephen Fry, Jacob Elordi and Jenna Ortega now in line to join the voting body, future Oscar races may be shaped by an even broader and more contemporary membership base.
The latest Irish news takeaway is simple: the Academy is not just celebrating star power, but also recognising the changing face of global cinema. Read More: NewsDigest
Image Courtesy: The Irish News
