A Night of Glamour and Recognition at the 2026 Actor Awards
The 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, took place in Los Angeles, drawing a star-studded crowd to the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall. The event, which rebranded this year to align with its iconic statuette ‘The Actor,’ aimed to sharpen its global identity and focus on honoring performers.
One of the most memorable moments came from actor Noah Wyle, who shared a tender moment with his wife, Sara Wells, on the red carpet. The couple, married since 2014, displayed their affection during the ceremony, with Wyle donning a classic black tuxedo while Wells glammed up in a strapless black gown paired with silver buckles by Roger Vivier.
Wyle was nominated for two awards for his role in the hit HBO series The Pitt, which has reignited his career after two decades since his time on ER. He is up for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, alongside the show’s ensemble cast, which was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series.
Kristen Bell returned as host for the third time, bringing her signature charm and humor to the event. “Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family,” said show-runner Jon Brockett. “One you actually want to hang out with.”
Winners of the 2026 Actor Awards
The night saw a range of winners across film, television, and limited series. In the film category, Sinners won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Michael B. Jordan took home the title for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, while Jessie Buckley won for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role in Hamnet.
In the supporting categories, Sean Penn won for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another, and Amy Madigan claimed the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Weapons.
Television Highlights
On the television front, The Pitt dominated with wins for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series and for Noah Wyle’s performance as Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch. Keri Russell was honored for her role in The Diplomat.
Comedy series The Studio had a strong showing, winning Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara were among the winners in individual comedy acting categories.
Drama series faced fierce competition, with The White Lotus, Severance, The Diplomat, The Pitt, and Landman all receiving nominations. Notable performances included Keri Russell in The Diplomat and Noah Wyle in The Pitt.
Limited Series and Television Movies
Limited series and television movies also had their share of recognition. Owen Cooper won for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for Adolescence, while Michelle Williams took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for Dying For Sex.
Honoring Legacy and New Talent
Harrison Ford was honored with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, recognizing his decades-long career in Hollywood. His roles in franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Blade Runner have cemented his status as one of the industry’s most enduring leading men.
Additionally, Bridgerton breakout star Yerin Ha was named this year’s Ambassador for The Actor Awards, highlighting the importance of representing the next generation of actors.
Controversies and Surprises
Despite the celebration, the event sparked some controversy. Cynthia Erivo was notably absent from the nominations for Wicked: For Good, while Gwyneth Paltrow and Dwayne Johnson were also left out. Fans questioned the lack of international representation and the omission of certain films and shows.
However, there were also pleasant surprises, including supporting nominations for Odessa A’Zion and Wunmi Mosaku, showcasing the breadth of talent recognized this year.
