The 2026 Actor Awards, held on March 1 at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium and hosted by Kristen Bell, witnessed a historic moment for Ryan Coogler as the first director to lead two projects winning ensemble awards at this prestigious ceremony. Celebrated for his work on Sinners and previously on Black Panther, Coogler’s achievements underscore his influential presence in the acting community and the broader entertainment industry.
The event highlighted remarkable wins across film and television, with Sinners dominating film categories and series like The Studio and The Pitt outperforming in television awards. Michael B. Jordan and the ensemble cast of Sinners, including Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and Hailee Steinfeld, each earned accolades, marking Coogler’s milestone in steering two ensemble wins at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Ryan Coogler’s Milestone with Two Ensemble Victories
The 2026 Actor Awards, which recognize acting and stunt work exclusively, set a new record for Coogler, whose direction of both Black Panther (2018 winner) and Sinners earned ensemble awards. This achievement distinguishes him as the only director to guide two different casts to collective honors at this event.
Delroy Lindo, accepting the ensemble award alongside his fellow Sinners cast members, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the director’s vision.
“We’re all anointed to be a part of this incredible journey created by the genius Ryan Coogler,”
he said.
“We brought our spirits to this endeavor, and to be recognized by you all—thank you doesn’t come anywhere near to encompassing what we feel, the gratitude.”
– Delroy Lindo, Actor
Catherine O’Hara’s Historic Posthumous Win
The evening also bore an emotional milestone when Catherine O’Hara received the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award for The Studio, awarded just one month after her passing at age 71. This marked the first time in the Actor Awards history that a female actor was recognized posthumously and only the third posthumous acting award ever given, following Heath Ledger and Chadwick Boseman.
Co-star Seth Rogen, who accepted the award on O’Hara’s behalf and also won for his role in the Apple TV+ series, recalled her dedication and creative input.
“Pretty much every evening before she had a shooting day on our show, she would email me and Evan [Goldberg] an email that always was pretty similar,”
he shared.
“It said, ‘Hello, I hope you’ll consider the following,’ and then there would be a completely rewritten version of the scene she was in. And literally, 100 percent of the time, it made not just her character better, but it made the scene better and the entire show better as a whole.”
– Seth Rogen, Actor
Emphasizing O’Hara’s lasting influence, Rogen spoke of her unforgettable performances.
“If you have people in your lives that don’t know her work,”
he said,
“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 generally shared her talents with us.”
– Seth Rogen, Actor
Youngest Ever Actor Award Winner: Owen Cooper
Sixteen-year-old Owen Cooper added to the ceremony’s record-setting moments by becoming the youngest recipient of an Actor Award. The English actor, known for the Netflix series Adolescence, took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, surpassing veteran nominees such as Jason Bateman, Stephen Graham, Charlie Hunnam, and Matthew Rhys.
Though Cooper was absent when the award was announced, presenter Damson Idris made light of the situation, joking,
“Owen couldn’t be here, so I’ll be taking this home.”
– Damson Idris, Actor
Celebrating Success: Highlights from the After-Party
Following the formalities at the Shrine Auditorium, the celebrations continued into a lively after-party hosted by Netflix, where many winners and nominees gathered in high spirits. Various stars from acclaimed projects mingled and commemorated the night’s successes.
Keri Russell and Ato Essandoh celebrated Russell’s win for the series The Diplomat, capturing moments of joy among fellow nominees. The duo of David Gyasi and Matthew Rhys, noted love interests both on and off screen, also posed together during the festivities, adding warm camaraderie to the event.
Michael B. Jordan, a standout presence of the evening, was seen alongside Yerin Ha, another rising star from the Bridgerton season four cast, reflecting the youthful energy permeating the celebrations. Similarly, Odessa A’zion and Kevin O’Leary, stars from Marty Supreme, maintained the upbeat atmosphere post-ceremony.
Ali Larter and Kate Hudson, celebrities from Landman and Song Song Blue respectively, brought an air of timeless elegance to the occasion. Meanwhile, performers Odessa A’zion, Damson Idris, and Jenna Ortega enjoyed the buzz surrounding their rapidly ascending careers.
Actors Adam Brody and Rose Byrne proved that genuine smiles remain the best adornment in any event, while Aimee Lou Wood dazzled at the after-party wearing an exquisite Versace gown, embodying grace and sophistication.
Sara Wells joined Noah Wyle and Brandon Mendez to honor the accomplishments of The Pitt, while Sarah Pidgeon relaxed after a long evening, heels in hand, relatable to many attendees. Michelle Monaghan of The White Lotus took a moment to unwind amidst the festivities, and Damson Idris showcased his high-fashion taste dressed in Prada.
Parker Posey caught attention with a striking pink ensemble, earning admiration rather than the signature cautionary phrase her character Piper once invoked. Teachers William Stanford Davis and Lisa Ann Walter reveled in the celebration, proving their spirited energy extends beyond the classroom.
Patrick Ball added laughter as the best medicine, embodying the joyous spirit of The Pitt, while Laverne Cox, star of Orange is the New Black, wore a stunning black dress, reinforcing the idea that some styles never go out of fashion.
Stars from different acclaimed projects such as Zora Casebere, Lionel Boyce, and Tyler, The Creator spent time together, symbolizing the diverse yet united nature of this year’s nominees and victors.
The Enduring Impact of the 2026 Actor Awards
The 2026 Actor Awards forged new ground through historic wins and touching tributes, particularly highlighting Ryan Coogler’s remarkable achievement for the Ryan Coogler director milestone and honoring the late Catherine O’Hara. Young talent like Owen Cooper celebrated unprecedented recognition, signaling a promising future for new generations in the industry.
These milestones not only underline the evolving landscape of acting awards but also emphasize the powerful narratives and collaborations that shape contemporary storytelling. As the winners return to their upcoming projects and the industry reflects on these moments, the significance of diversity, legacy, and breakthrough artistry remains at the forefront of Hollywood’s narrative.
