SAG Awards: Winners and memorable moments from the ceremony

Santa Monica, California – The 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards aired Sunday, honoring this year's best in television and film. Check out the night's biggest winners and most memorable moments.

Jessica Chastain (l.) was one of Sunday's winners, while Helen Mirren (r.) was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award.
Jessica Chastain (l.) was one of Sunday's winners, while Helen Mirren (r.) was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award.  © Collage: IMAGO/UPI Photo

The SAG Awards went off without a hitch on Sunday night after returning to an in-person ceremony at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica following a completely virtual show in 2021.

In addition to handing out Actors, Kate Winslet presented Helen Mirren with the SAG Life Achievement Award at Sunday's show.

The ceremony continued its tradition of remaining host-free, a decision that the show's long-time producer Kathy Connell said in 2013 was about keeping viewers' eyes on those being recognized.

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"We didn’t want the time taken away from the people we were honoring. Our show is just two hours long. We wanted the whole evening to be about the actors and not about one personality," Connell said.

Despite being host-free, SAG Award announcers and winners kept the show moving along and spirits high with heartfelt acceptance speeches and quirky commentary.

HBO's Succession, AppleTV's Ted Lasso, and Netflix's Squid Game were amongst the night's biggest winners, further proving that streaming services are taking over the TV world.

Television Awards

The cast of Squid Game attends the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
The cast of Squid Game attends the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Succession took home The Actor for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, while Ted Lasso took the cake for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy.

Squid Game nearly cleaned house, winning in three of the four categories it was nominated for: Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series.

In addition to The Actor for best ensemble in a comedy, Ted Lasso's creator and star Jason Sudeikis took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Sudeikis beat out Brett Goldstein, who plays fan favorite Roy Kent in the series, for the award.

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The award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries went to Kate Winslet for her role in Mare of Easttown. Her co-star, Jean Smart, was also nominated in the same category.

Michael Keaton nabbed The Actor for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for his role in the Hulu miniseries, Dopesick.

Motion Picture Awards

Will Smith playing Richard Williams in the 2021 film King Richard.
Will Smith playing Richard Williams in the 2021 film King Richard.  © imago/ZUMA Press

Then, there was the film side of the night, which saw CODA take home two awards for both Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Will Smith won big for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard, which landed him an Actor for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

In his acceptance speech, Smith spoke about his role in the film, and the man who inspired it.

"Richard Williams is a dreamer like no one you've ever known. He has a power of belief that borders on insanity, and sometimes tips over the border, which is absolutely necessary to take something from impossible to possible."

As he spoke, Venus Williams, the legendary tennis player and daughter of Richard Williams, looked on, emotionally nodding her head in agreement to each word Smith uttered about her father and former coach.

West Side Story's Ariana DeBose won The Actor for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

Jessica Chastain beat out Lady Gaga for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role thanks to her performance in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

The SAG Award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture unsurprisingly went to No Time To Die.

    For a full list of nominees and winners, head to the SAG Awards' official website.

    Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/UPI Photo

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