“It’s a little weird to be getting a lifetime achievement award at the half point of my career […] I’m still a working actor,” said screen legend Harrison Ford as he accepted the 61st SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award.
The 32nd Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, held once again at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and streaming live globally on Netflix, had a new name, a new look and a live orchestra.
Paige DeSorbo and Scott Evans hosted the Official Pre-Show. In addition to interviewing nominees, they joined Actor Awards Ambassador Yerin Ha (Bridgerton) in announcing the recipients of the Outstanding Stunt Ensemble awards, with the stunt team of Mission Impossible: the Final Reckoning winning for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture and the stunt team of The Last of Us winning Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series.
In his opening remarks to show attendees, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “During my time as the National Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA, I’ve seen our community face many challenges, and this year is no exception. We’re striving to revive and rebuild production in the U.S. amid economic uncertainties, but our union is strong, and I have immense hope for and confidence in the future.”
The film One Battle After Another began the night with seven nominations — more than any other film or series this year and the record holder for most Actor nominations for a film project. Sean Penn took home the Actor for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in the dark comedy-action thriller.
Amy Madigan of Weapons accepted Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.
Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) took home The Actor® statuette for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role went to Jesse Buckley for Hamnet. Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, while Owen Cooper (Adolescence) picked up a win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.
The Pitt’s Noah Wyle received the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series and Keri Russell (The Diplomat) garnered Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. The cast of The Pitt was honored with Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
The Actor Awards is the only televised awards ceremony to exclusively honor performers. The ceremony gives SAG-AFTRA union members the opportunity to recognize their peers on the big and small screens. In the comedy categories, The Studio had a clean sweep, with Seth Rogan receiving the statuette for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for The Studio, and the late Catherine O’Hara receiving Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. The cast also took home the honor for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
The cast of Sinners received the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Woody Harrelson presented SAG-AFTRA’s highest honor, the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, to Harrison Ford, who has been lauded for his legacy as one of the major stars of the century.
Ford recognized that nothing in his career happened on his own, and he acknowledged the privilege of working in a profession that allows him to “create moments of emotional connection and share something fundamental: the privilege of working in a world of ideas, empathy and imagination.”
Among Ford’s many accolades are the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2000, the Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2002, the Cannes Film Festival’s Honorary Palme d’Or and a Motion Picture Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During his speech, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said, “I’m honestly so inspired by everyone here tonight.” In addition to recognizing union solidarity and the support of the sibling unions, he took a moment to acknowledge the escalating international conflicts, and took a moment to offer up a “sincere prayer for peace.”
Nobody Wants This actor Kristen Bell returned to the awards stage a third time as host. Presenters throughout the evening included Connor Storrie, Megan Stalter, Paul W. Downs, Odessa A’Zion, Miles Caton, Yerin Ha, Janelle James, Jessie Buckley, Damson Idris, Christoph Waltz and Sterling K. Brown among others.
View all the honorees at actorawards.org.
The Actor Awards will continue to be streamed on Netflix for 30 days.
All photos by Shutterstock.
