Last night, Hollywood’s acting community gathered at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, and it was a ceremony that had everything: triumphant upsets, heartfelt tributes, a legend getting his due, and more than a few laughs courtesy of a very funny host.
If the show felt a little different this year, that’s because it officially was. The ceremony formerly known as the SAG Awards debuted under its new title, the Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, a rebrand the guild announced last November to better reflect its identity as the only industry honor given by actors, to actors. Kristen Bell returned for her third stint as host, keeping the Shrine Auditorium loose and lively throughout the evening, which streamed live on Netflix.
The night’s biggest story on the film side was Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending vampire thriller Sinners, which took home the most coveted prize of the evening: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. It was a genuine surprise. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another had been sweeping the awards circuit all season, and many expected that momentum to continue. Instead, the 160,000+ SAG-AFTRA voters threw their weight behind Sinners, delivering the film a major boost just weeks before the Oscars. Michael B. Jordan added to the haul, winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for what many consider the performance of his career. On the female side, Jessie Buckley claimed Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her work in Hamnet, the Focus Features period drama that has quietly become one of awards season’s most beloved films.
Television’s biggest winners were The Pitt (drama ensemble) and The Studio (comedy ensemble), both of which came into the night as frontrunners and delivered. Noah Wyle won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt, while Keri Russell took home the prize for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for The Diplomat. On the comedy side, Seth Rogen was his characteristically charming self accepting the Male Actor in a Comedy Series award for The Studio, quipping about the show’s craft services and tossing a pointed joke or two along the way.
But it was the comedy female acting award that produced the night’s most emotional moment. When Catherine O’Hara‘s name was announced as the winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for The Studio, the Shrine Auditorium fell into a reverent silence before erupting in a standing ovation. O’Hara, the beloved Schitt’s Creek icon and comedy legend, passed away on January 30th after a brief illness at age 71, just weeks before tonight’s ceremony. Rogen took the stage to accept on her behalf, delivering a speech that was both tearful and gracious. “She really showed that you can be a genius and be kind,” he said, earning another ovation from a room full of her peers. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why this particular awards show matters so much.
The evening’s other towering moment came when Harrison Ford was presented with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, introduced by longtime friend Woody Harrelson. Ford, ever the reluctant icon, took the stage and delivered a thoughtful, humble speech that left the crowd hanging on every word. “This is promising,” he said near the close of his remarks, a classic Ford understatement that brought down the house.
Elsewhere, Owen Cooper won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited or Movie Series for Adolescence, the Netflix drama that has been one of the buzziest shows of the season. Gwyneth Paltrow made a rare and stunning red carpet appearance as part of the Marty Supreme ensemble, her first time at the ceremony since 2000, generating plenty of buzz before the show even began.
With the Oscars just around the corner, last night’s results carry serious weight. Sinners winning the ensemble prize is the biggest indicator of the night, as all five ensemble nominees are also up for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and the guild’s vote is one of the most reliable predictors in the business. One Battle After Another still remains the season’s dominant force, but Ryan Coogler’s film just proved it has a passionate fanbase ready to show up. One thing is clear: this awards season isn’t over yet.
The 2026 Actor Awards streamed live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
