You Won’t Believe Which Unexpected Twist Stole the Show at the 2026 Actor Awards—Here’s What We’re Still Talking About!
Ever wondered what happens when Hollywood’s crème de la crème trades their scripts for sparkling gowns and tuxedos at a newly rebranded awards bash? Welcome to the 2026 Actor Awards—formerly the SAG Awards—where the spotlight isn’t just on the glitz and glam, but on actors honoring actors in a celebration that’s as heartfelt as it is star-studded. From surprise wins and tear-jerking tributes to repeat performances that somehow still steal the show (Kristen Bell, we see you), this night had it all. Curious why Bowen Yang was somewhere chilly enough to miss the festivities or how Michael B. Jordan and the cast of Sinners took the night by storm? Buckle up—this is awards season with a twist you didn’t see coming. LEARN MORE
4 min readHollywood’s finest came together at Los Angeles’s Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall
to celebrate the newly rebranded 2026 Actor Awards (formerly known as, the SAG Awards).
The Actors differs from other awards in that it specifically celebrates the actors that brought to life all of the year’s biggest television shows and films—as selected by fellow actors. The cast of The Studio and The Pitt won big during the evening while actors such as Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan were honored for their standout film performances. There was even a repeat song and dance opening number from host Kristen Bell, because you know, we needed that again apparently.
This year’s presentation hit all of the emotive notes we love and expect from awards season, featuring moments of humor, surprise, joy, and even a few tear-jerkers. Ahead are our five favorite moments from this year’s Actor Awards.
Bowen Yang missed the show because he was in… Antarctica.
Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie presented Best Female Actor in a Drama Series with fellow actor Kathryn Hahn, but the pair revealed that the comedian and former Saturday Night Live star was originally supposed to present alongside Storrie, but missed out on the evening’s festivities due to an arctic adventure of sorts. To prove they weren’t lying, a photo of Yang dressed in winter garb and out in the snow was displayed on the screen. We have so many questions.
Catherine O’Hara wins a posthumous award for her work in The Studio.
In one of the most emotional moments of the night, actress Catherine O’Hara was honored for her work in AppleTV+’s The Studio, winning the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Seth Rogen, the creator and star of the show, accepted the award on her behalf and gave a moving speech that honored her legacy as a beloved actor and comedy force.
“I know she would have been honored to receive this award from her fellow performers, who I know she respected so much — she was such big fans of all of yours,” Rogen shared of his former costar on stage. “I obviously you know, have been reflecting on the time I was fortunate enough to spend with her, working with her, and something that I’ve just been marveling at over the last few weeks was really her ability to be generous and kind and gracious, while never ever minimizing her own talents and her own ability to contribute to the work that we were doing. She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set.”
Amy Madigan takes home the award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role — and shows support for unions everywhere.
Amy Madigan was one of the major surprise wins of the night, taking home the award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her work in the horror mystery, Weapons. During her speech, Madigan reflected on her upbringing and how unions have always been a part of her life and especially as a working actor over the decades.
“It’s such an honor to be here. I’ve been doing this a long ass time, and I have never been nominated by the SAG committee and by the [Screen Actors] Guild,” she said. “I’m a proud member, and I keep getting asked tonight, ‘What is it about this night?’ I said, ‘Because actors love other actors. They just love being with them. We want to be working with them.’”
She continued, “I’m a union person. I come from Chicago. Everybody in my family, all my friends, relatives, we’re all union people, and I don’t care what somebody says, they’re not going to bust us.”
Harrison Ford is visibly moved accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Who doesn’t adore Harrison Ford? The veteran actor allowed his emotions to be on full display as he accepted this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting on his unparalleled catalog of roles that include Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan and more.
“Sometimes we make entertainment. Sometimes we make art. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we make ’em both at the same time. And if we’re really fortunate, we also get to make a living doing it. Success in this business brings a certain freedom that comes with responsibility to support each other, to lift others up when we can,” he shared onstage. “To keep the door open for the next kid, the next lost boy who’s looking for a place to belong. I’m, indeed, a lucky guy. Lucky to have found my people. Lucky to have work that challenges me. Lucky to still be doing it. And I don’t take that for granted.”
Michael B. Jordan and Sinners scoop up some of the biggest wins of the night.
In another surprise win, Michael B. Jordan took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of twins Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s southern vampire epic, Sinners. The film’s entire cast was later honored by taking home the biggest award of the night, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. While tonight’s ceremony honored solely actors, it’s worth nothing that the win still marked another history-making moment for Ryan Coogler. He is now the first person to direct two cast ensemble winners for Sinners and his first blockbuster breakout, Black Panther.
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