11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Results and Commentary (2005)

SAG Awards Actor statuette
Actor Statuette
©2005 SAG
  • Date of Ceremony: Saturday, February 5, 2005
  • For performances seen in: 2004
Other years:

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Welcome to DigitalHit.com’s coverage of the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The nominations for the awards, which are handed out on February 5th, were announced at 9am on Tuesday, January 11th.

8:02 PM ET

The show starts off with actors talking about their starts: Alan Alda, Marcia Cross, Dennis Haybert, Jessica Walter, John Spencer, Jennifer Garner.

8:04 PM ET

The first presenters are nominees Annette Bening and Morgan Freeman. They presented the evening’s first category: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries. And the Actor goes to Glenn Close.

“And days later, I received this letter, which hangs on a wall in my house, in a place of honor. And what she [Katherine Hepburn] wrote to me was this: ‘I’m glad I persuaded you when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession, this terrifying profession, and let’s face it, this delicious way to spend your life.’” – Glenn Close

8:08 PM ET

Young Freddie Highmore’s on stage to present the first ensemble clip of the night: Finding Neverland.

8:10 PM ET

Kyra Sedgwick and Topher Grace present the next award of the night: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries. And the Actor goes to Geoffrey Rush. He gets a kiss from The Life and Death of Peter Sellers co-star Charlize Theron before taking to the stage.

“As Glenn said, I mean, I just love this job. I love this profession. I love the vast heritage of it. And when you work with people like Charlize and Emily and John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci, Miriam Margolyes, you become just so much more acutely aware of that.” – Geoffrey Rush

8:17 PM ET

Ray‘s Kerry Washington and Jamie Foxx are here and Jamie flubs his lines twice and does a retake to big laughter as they introduce the clip for the night’s second ensemble nominee Ray.

8:19 PM ET

Rosario Dawson and Kiefer Sutherland award tonight’s first film category: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. And the Actor goes to The Aviator‘s Cate Blanchett.

“So, I thank you very much. I think the head, shoulders, knees and toes of this belong to Martin Scorsese, who led us all and gave us great courage – I’m shaking. Thank you so much. And to Leonardo and to Graham King who were so incredibly welcoming. To Morag Ross, who painted every single freckle on my face, and everyone, because it’s an absolute team effort and a team on it. I don’t know where to begin, I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much.” – Cate Blanchett

8:24 PM ET

Denis Franz introduces a segment about the variety of jobs SAG members have like stunt people, puppeteers, singers, voiceover artists, background actors, and dancers. As Winnie the Pooh’s voice, Jim Cummings, says, “We’re all actors. And we’re out there.”

8:31 PM ET

Teri Polo and John Stamos head back to the TV categories to present Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Actor goes to Tony Shalhoub for Monk.

“I just want to extend my gratitude to all of the guest actors who come onto series television. As series regulars, our job is made so much easier to be in the head of the character week in and week out, as Jamie Foxx proved so well tonight. But for the guest actors who come into a show without any preparation, without any time to rehearse, their job is so much harder, to capture the tone, to create a character, to work in harmony with actors and directors they have not worked with before. I want to extend my gratitude to them. “ – Tony Shalhoub

8:34 PM ET

Sandra Oh and Anthony LaPaglia head over to the female side of the equation to present the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Actor goes to Teri Hatcher for Desperate Housewives.

“I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in The Love Boat in 1985, and since then I got to work with Christopher Guest and Kevin Bacon, and Kevin Kline, and Sally Field, and Whoopi Goldberg and… God, like a lot of movies and TV shows, for really having no career a year ago. And I just – I learned from all those people and I am so proud to be a part of this group.” – Teri Hatcher

8:39 PM ET

Paul Giamatti intros the third film ensemble nominee tonight: Sideways.

8:40 PM ET

Ellen DeGeneres is here to present the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. And the Actor goes to the cast of Desperate Housewives.

“We’d like to use this award to ring the death knell to reality television.” – Doug Savant

8:50 PM ET

Mel Gibson leads off the introduction of tonight’s Life Achievement Award honoree, James Garner. The clips they show highlight Garner’s career: Maverick, his first feature Toward the Unknown, The Thrill of It All, The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily, The Rockford Files, his Polaroid commercials, Victor, Victoria, and his current gig, 8 Simple Rules. Julie Andrews then strolls out. “Isn’t he the dishiest fellow you’ve ever seen?” she says.

8:59 PM ET

James Garner, with a rapturous ovation supporting him, takes to the stage to accept his award. Garner was obviously moved by the honor.

“You look at the list of wonderful actors who have been recipients of this award, and I’m not all sure how I got here. I’m just so humbled to be a part of such a distinguished group. And, well, we actors, we seldom know how we are perceived by others, but this wonderful award lets me know, say, ‘Hey, Jim, you must have done something good.’ So to have actors think of me in these terms, it touches me deep, deep, deep, deep in my heart.” – James Garner

9:07 PM ET

SAG President Melissa Gilbert announces the great support of SAG members for tsunami relief, thanks its sister unions and then introduces a short video from 100 year-old Charles Lane (Petticoat Junction, War and Remembrance), a SAG member since its inception.

9:09 PM ET

Don Cheadle introduces the clip for ensemble nominee Hotel Rwanda.

9:11 PM ET

Kate Winslet introduces the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. And the Actor goes to Morgan Freeman for Million Dollar Baby. It’s his first SAG win and he gets a thunderous ovation.

“I want to thank anybody who I ever met. I want to thank Clint Eastwood and his entire family. I want to thank Hilary Swank, Al Ruddy coming to us with this wonderful script. And I want to thank you all so much. “ – Morgan Freeman

9:13 PM ET

The always wonderful Laura Linney introduces this evening’s memorial segment: Ronald Reagan, Alan King, Carrie Snodgress, John Randolph, Julius Harris, Fay Wray, John Drew Barrymore, Virginia Mayo, Rodney Dangerfield, Warren J. Kemmerling, Virgina Capers, Frank Maxwell, Robert Pastorelli, Ossie Davis, Ron O’Neal, Ruth Warrick, Iggie Wolfington, Richard Biggs, Eugene Roche, Virginia Grey, Paul Winfield, Mercedes McCambridge, Joe Viterelli, Isabel Sanford, Tony Randall, Jerry Orbach, Peter Ustinov, Jan Sterling, Howard Keel, Janet Leigh, Ray Charles, Marlon Brando, Christopher Reeve, and Johnny Carson.

9:22 PM ET

Sean Hayes announces “Most actresses I know would not want to win an award with the word ‘sag’ in it.” He announces the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to Jennifer Garner.

“ Thank you so much. Thank you so much. My first job, Melissa Gilbert played my mom. I called her Laura, every day in the make-up trailer. I practically called her Half-Pint – it’s so fun to be sitting with her. I’ve claimed James Garner for years as a relative, it’s wonderful to be in this room, and to be part of this union.” – Jennifer Garner

9:25 PM ET

Desperate Housewive’s Teri Hatcher and James Denton intro the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to the late Jerry Orbach. Jerry’s widow, Elaine, accepts the award.

“Jerry was an actor and he loved actors. He loved kibitzing with them, he loved playing cards with them, he loved playing Scrabble with them, but he loved being with them. Jerry had a motto. He said, ‘Never leave a hit show.’” – Elaine Orbach

9:29 PM ET

Clint Eastwood praises his castmates Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman and then introduces the next ensemble cast nominee, Million Dollar Baby.

9:31 PM ET

Glenn Close comes out again, this time to present. She announces the nominees for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to the cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

“The best thing about being an actor is that we get to hang out with other actors. We enjoy being with each other every day, we care about each other, we’re friends, and that’s truly our reward. We’re proud to be members of the Screen Actors Guild, the best private club in the world, and we would like to thank our fellowship of gypsies for this lovely award.” – William Petersen

9:39 PM ET

Johnny Depp, last year’s Male Actor winner announces the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. And the Actor goes to Hilary Swank.

“You know, I also can’t believe I’m a working actor, working with the legendary Clint Eastwood, and the always amazing Morgan Freeman. I think one of the rarest qualities, and most important qualities is the – being able to believe in someone else. And Clint, your unwavering belief in me, I am just so thankful for that. I am thankful to you for reminding me to trust my instincts, and allowing me to trust my instincts. “ – Hilary Swank

9:44 PM ET

Cate Blanchett and Leonardo DiCaprio introduce the night’s final ensemble nominee: The Aviator.

9:45 PM ET

Last year’s Female Actor winner, Charlize Theron, announces the nominees for: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. And the Actor goes to Jamie Foxx.

“Thank you for Taylord Hackford, for taking the chance with an African American film – Taylor you’re my director of the year, man, no matter what. Thank you for that beautiful cast that’s sitting right over there on that table, that can go with anybody. You guys are incredible to me, and I split this up and I share it with you – right there at that table. Yeah.” – Jamie Foxx

9:54 PM ET

Tim Robbins has the role of presenter for the night’s final category: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. And the Actor goes to the cast of Sideways.

“For Alexander Payne the director, who saw in each one of us something that most people don’t usually see. So, thank you for giving us a shot, and thank you for voting for us. Thank you.” – Sandra Oh

9:57 PM ET

Tim bids us goodnight and that’s it for another year at the SAG Awards.

The Actor Statuette Photo Credit: Mark Hill ©2005 Screen Actors Guild.