At the 32nd Screen Actors Guild Actor Awards held Sunday in Los Angeles, Michael B. Jordan stunned attendees by winning best male actor, upsetting favorite Timothée Chalamet. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley secured best female actor for her role in Hamnet, adding momentum to the award season ahead of the Oscars. These results marked a significant shift in the race, spotlighting Jordan’s career milestone and setting the stage for an intense final two weeks before the Academy Awards.
Traditionally seen as a key indicator for Oscar success, the Actor Awards, previously known as the SAG Awards, are closely followed because actors form the largest voting bloc within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The choices made during this ceremony often mirror those at the Oscars, making the wins crucial for industry watchers and fans alike.
Breakthrough Ensemble and Film Recognized
The night proved particularly favorable for the cast of Sinners, which won best ensemble after nearly being overshadowed by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, a film that had dominated earlier awards like the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. This victory signals strong Oscar prospects for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a Netflix-streamed vampire saga characterized by its blues-infused narrative. Delroy Lindo, representing the ensemble, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience.
From the bottom of our hearts, to the bottom of your hearts, thank you so much for everything,
said Lindo.
Surprise Triumph for Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan’s win for best male actor was one of the night’s most talked-about moments, as even he appeared taken aback by the announcement. Reflecting on his journey, Jordan paused before embracing the moment with genuine awe.
I wasn’t expecting this at all,
said Jordan. He added,
Yeah, man, this is pretty cool.
Other Acting Honors Highlight Competition’s Depth
Jessie Buckley’s win for best female actor was anticipated due to her strong performance in Hamnet. However, other acting categories brought surprises: Sean Penn earned best supporting actor for One Battle After Another, and Amy Madigan, who had never been nominated by the guild before, won best supporting actress for Weapons. Madigan’s acceptance was touching and lightened by humor.
It’s like when you were little and you had the Barbie and then you got Ken and whipped down his drawers and went, ‘Hey, that’s nothing,
joked Madigan during her acceptance speech.
Posthumous Recognition for Catherine O’Hara
The awards paid tribute to late actress Catherine O’Hara, who posthumously received best female actor in a comedy series for her role in the satire The Studio. O’Hara passed away at 71 earlier this year due to a pulmonary blood clot. The attendees at the Shine Auditorium responded with a prolonged standing ovation. Seth Rogen, co-creator of The Studio, accepted the award and remembered her not only as a brilliant artist but also as a kind collaborator.
showed that you could be a genius and you could be kind,
Rogen said.
He encouraged those unfamiliar with her work to watch classic moments that exemplify her talent and warmth.
If you have people in your lives who don’t know her work,
Rogen urged,
show them O’Hara dancing to Harry Belafonte in Beetlejuice, show them O’Hara hurting her knee in Best in Show and doing that amazing thing where she hobbles around, and tell the people as they are laughing that that’s Catherine O’Hara and we were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us.
Streaming Ceremony and Industry Context Amid Major Hollywood Changes
The guild’s ceremony, hosted live on Netflix and emceed by Kristen Bell, brought levity with musical numbers despite global issues like the ongoing conflict in Iran and industry tensions. This event also marked Hollywood’s largest gathering since Paramount announced its intention to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a $111 billion deal awaiting regulatory clearance. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, whose company lost the bidding war, appeared casually dressed on the red carpet.
Prior to the acting awards, the stunt ensemble prize went to Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Among television series, The Studio won best comedy and The Pitt took best drama series. Individual TV acting winners included Keri Russell for The Diplomat, Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex, Owen Cooper for Adolescence, Noah Wyle for The Pitt, and Seth Rogen himself for The Studio.
Harrison Ford Honored with Life Achievement Award
Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford, 83, received the prestigious SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, presented with humor by Woody Harrelson. Ford reflected emotionally on his decades-long career, appreciating the recognition amid a gathering of outstanding peers.
I’m in a room with actors, many of whom are here because they’ve been nominated to receive a prize for their amazing work, while I’m here to receive a prize for being alive,
Ford remarked, calling it the half point of his career.
With occasional tears, he acknowledged the long path he traveled to success and expressed gratitude for the opportunities and challenges the industry provided.
Lucky to have found my people. Lucky to have work that challenges me. Lucky to still be doing it.
Looking Ahead: What the Actor Awards Mean for the Oscars
The Actor Awards have turned the spotlight to unexpected contenders and reshaped the narrative around who might take home Oscars in two weeks. Michael B. Jordan’s surprise win and the ensemble triumph for Sinners suggest sweeping possibilities that could disrupt previously predicted outcomes. With performances and selections reflecting both industry respect and popular acclaim, the final Academy voting promises to be closely contested and exciting, highlighting actors’ power in shaping Hollywood’s biggest night.
