24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Results and Commentary

SAG Awards Actor statuette
Actor Statuette
©2005 SAG
  • Date of Ceremony: Sunday, January 21, 2018
  • For performances seen in: 2017
Other years:

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Welcome to DigitalHit’s coverage of the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

8:01 PM

During the opening, Allison Janney, Tracee Ellis Ross, Millie Bobby Brown, and our host, Kristen Bell, discuss how they became actors.

8:02 PM

Kristen Bell, the first-ever host of the SAG Awards, welcomes us to the show.

She mentions that actors are storytellers and that they have important stories to share.

8:05 PM

Bell and Maya Rudolph are now presenting Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Actor goes to William H. Macy for Shameless.

“A couple years ago, I was privy to a conversation where my friend David Mamet, who was really my mentor and taught me everything I know, was talking to a journalist. And the journalist said actors have a weird job. We just tell lies
for a living. And David Mamet said, ‘No, no. An actor’s job is to tell the truth.’ And after a confused conversation, the journalist finally said, ‘Well, I think we are saying the same thing.’ But they weren’t. And even though our lines and the stories we’re told are given to us by writers, it’s our job under those imaginary circumstances to find the truth. And I think it’s a glorious way to make a living especially in this day and age when so many people either can’t recognize the truth or don’t think it’s important. And to my fellow nominees, you are very good at doing that.” – William H. Macy

8:09 PM

Out next are Connie Britton and Mandy Moore. They’re tasked with presenting Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Actor goes to Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who couldn’t make it tonight due to health reasons.

8:12 PM

Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson introduce the clip for the ensemble nominee Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

8:14 PM

Moving right along, Molly Shannon and Leslie Mann are the presenters for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category. And the Actor goes to the cast of Veep. It’s the first win for this ensemble. Matt Walsh does a funny acceptance speech that starts off with him saying that “Well, we have a large cast, so I was hand chosen because I play a spokesperson, and I’m very well-spoken on the show and in real life. And so I was selected because I was really good at large events and large audiences.” He then proceeds to mess up the details in his speech.

8:25 PM

The hilarious Sarah Silverman is now presenting Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. And the Actor goes to Allison Janney for I, Tonya.

“I am incredibly lucky and emotional to be in this category of women who I love so so much. Laurie, Holly, Mary J., Hong, your performances are extraordinary. Your performances over the years have inspired me, continue to
inspire all of these actors in this room and all of them watching at home. You are brilliant.” – Allison Janney

8:29 PM

Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya introduce the clip for the ensemble-nominated Get Out.

8:30 PM

Laura Linney now introduces the nominees for Male Actor in a Supporting Role. And the Actor goes to Sam Rockwell for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It’s his first SAG win.

“My mom and dad were actors. They dragged me to rehearsals at A.C.T. when I was a little baby, and I slowly realized that these people are nuts. Actors are — I love ‘em. I love actors, and I love my mom and dad. I delivered burritos on a bicycle. I bussed tables to get through acting school. If you’re a struggling actor out there, hang in there.

And Frances McDormand, you’re a powerhouse. I’m in awe of you, and I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you and all the incredible women in this room to — trying to make things better. It’s long overdue.” – Sam Rockwell

8:39 PM

Megan Mullally and Gina Rodriguez are up next to present Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. And the Actor goes to Big Little Lies’ Alexander Skarsgård.

“Yeah, that makes sense. A lot of people have been talking about who the
— the greatest male actor ever is. Is it Mr. Robert De Niro? Or the tall dude from True Blood? The thespians have spoken. Thank you very much for that. No, seriously, to SAG-AFTRA, I am shocked, I’m humbled. Thank you very much for this. I’m incredibly embarrassed and infinitely grateful.” – Alexander Skarsgård

8:43 PM

Kristen Bell pays tribute to the other unions and guilds that support the SAG Awards. She then introduces SAG President Gabrielle Carteris.

8:48 PM

Mary J. Blige and Jason Clarke introduce the clip for Mudbound.

8:50 PM

Marisa Tomei and Rosanna Arquette talk about the #MeToo movement before presenting Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. And the Actor goes to Nicole Kidman, It’s her first SAG win.

“To receive this at this stage in my life is extraordinary. And at this time in the industry when these things are going on, and for this role. I would like to acknowledge the other actresses in this category. Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, my girlfriends first and foremost, but my beyond-talented acting partners. I share this with you. And also, I wanted to say Susan Sarandon and — and Jessica Lange, I revere you. I’ve watched you, and I’ve learned from you. And there’s others. Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Judy Davis, Isabelle Huppert, Judy Dench. The list is so long, and I would love to say so many more names, but I
can’t right now. But I want to thank you all for your trailblazing performances you’ve given over your career, and how wonderful it is that our careers today can go beyond 40 years old. Because 20 years ago, we were pretty washed-up by this stage in our lives. So that’s not the case now. We’ve proven, and these actresses and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable.” – Nicole Kidman

9:02 PM

Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf pair up to introduce the clip for the ensemble-nominated Lady Bird.

9:03 PM

The legendary Rita Moreno gets a standing ovation. “Oh my god, that’s a lot of love. But I can take it,” she says before introducing the Life Achievement Award recipient, Morgan Freeman. They’ve know each other for fifty years, working together first on The Electric Company. She calls him a national treasure.

After a clip package, Freeman takes to the stage. He points out that the Actor statuette works from behind but from the front it’s gender-specific.

9:20 PM

Bell says she was nervous taking on the gig. But then she realized it was a room full of actors and they’d only be thinking of themselves. She then introduces Olivia Munn and Niecy Nash. They’re in charge of presenting Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to Sterling K. Brown for This Is Us.

“What a blessing it is to do what you love for a living. What an honor it is to be recognized by your peers for a job well done. This room is a source of endless inspiration for me. I love all of y’all. People call us weird and
strange. The truth of the matter is, everybody’s weird and strange, and we just embrace ourselves for who we are. I love actors so much I decided to marry one, Ryan Michelle Bathe. You’re the best scene partner a brother’s ever had.” – Sterling K. Brown

9:28 PM

Holly Hunter, Zoe Kazan, Kumail Nanjiani and Ray Romano introduce the clip for the ensemble-nominated The Big Sick.

9:30 PM

Dakota Fanning and Kelly Marie Tran present Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to Claire Foy for The Crown. Foy was not there to accept.

9:32 PM

Felicity Huffman introduces the In Memoriam segment.

9:40 PM

Mother and daughter duo Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson present Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. And the Actor goes to the cast of This Is Us.

9:45 PM

Geena Davis is here to present Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. And the Actor goes to Gary Oldman for Darkest Hour, which spares us finding out how the audience would react to a post-accusations Franco win.

“They are — they are telling me to — to wrap up, and that very sad music seems to follow me everywhere, so I will — I would just say this: That Churchill reminds us we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. And you have given — you have given enormously tonight, and I am so deeply, deeply honored and — and — and proud to receive this magnificent award.” – Gary Oldman

9:55 PM

Halle Berry is presenting Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. And the Actor goes to Frances McDormand for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

“When Martin wrote Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, he did not sketch a blueprint. He didn’t string together a few words. He wrote, meticulously crafted a tsunami, and then he allowed his troupe of actors to surf it into the shore. Thank you, Martin. I also want to say, this is really great, and I thank you. I come out of the woods every few years, and you let — invite me to the party. But there’s a lot of young ones coming up, and they need doorstops too, let’s think about that.” – Frances McDormand

10:00 PM

Brie Larson and Lupita Nyong’o introduce the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. And the Actor goes to the cast of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDormand accepts on behalf of the cast.

“Oh, we kids of Ebbing, Missouri would like to thank our papas: Martin McDonagh; Graham Broadbent; Ben Davis, our cinematographer; and John Gregory, our editor, who made us what we are. Our mamas: Momma Dixon, Sandy Martin, please; and our casting director Sarah Finn, who helped birth the town of
Ebbing, Missouri. And our godparents. Our godparents: Fox Searchlight and Film4.” – Frances McDormand

10:03 PM

Kristen wishes us a good night!

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