Overview of the 29th SAG Awards and notable wins
The 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards highlighted a standout triumph for Everything Everywhere All at Once, a film celebrated for assembling a powerful ensemble cast and recognizing excellence in film across the season. The gala, held in Los Angeles, spotlighted the film’s achievements as it solidified its status among the year’s top contenders, following critical acclaim from Critics’ Choice and the Producers Guild Awards as well as hopeful momentum heading into the Academy Awards season.
James Hong, at ninety-four, joined fellow performers on stage to receive the Actors Guild award, reflecting on a career that began with classic Hollywood and has continued to expand opportunities for Asian actors. His remarks touched on past beliefs that limited Asian roles, underscoring the progress made in contemporary cinema.
“My first movie was made with Clark Gable. And then, over the years, different producers told me that we Asians can’t play good roles… Now look at us!”
With a long and varied seventy-year film career, Hong closed his speech with a playful jab about his international colleagues, noting a lighthearted distinction about nationality as he addressed the audience.
The film title Everything Everywhere All At Once, also rendered in Spanish as Todo En Todos Partes Al Mismo Tiempo, earned recognition for its lead performance by Michelle Yeoh, while Jamie Lee Curtis was celebrated for her supporting actress role, and Ke Huy Quan was honored as Best Supporting Actor. The film’s ensemble success stood out among the night’s honors for cast and performance across categories.
The sole acting category going to an individual outside the Daniels duo directing team went to Brendan Fraser for his performance in The Whale, recognizing his standout contribution to a psychologically intense drama.
Fraser spoke with emotion about his career journey, thanking the SAG members for acknowledging the volatility and perseverance that shaped his path. The SAG Awards, with a large voting membership spanning many film and television professionals, continue to shape the narrative around industry achievements.
In contrast, the British BAFTA winner The Banshees of Inisherin, directed by Martin McDonagh, faced a disappointing night in terms of haul, leaving without additional trophies despite multiple nominations.
The SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition of long-term professional and human achievements, was celebrated alongside collaborators and fellow artists, including connections to notable film projects across the Spider-Man franchise and related works that have highlighted acting careers in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Latin representation in storytelling under leadership from Ana de Armas and the film Blonde drew attention to diversified casting and storytelling, with discussions continuing about how language and cultural perspectives shape award considerations and audience reception.
Winners in The White Lotus and Abbott Elementary were spotlighted for television excellence as the awards also served to honor seasons of acclaimed series that are shaping streaming and broadcast competition this year.
Both The White Lotus and Abbott Elementary emerged as strong contenders after Golden Globes recognition, reinforcing ballots as critics’ choices shape ongoing conversations about best drama and best comedy series. Abbott Elementary, often cited as a standout in seasonal storytelling, also drew accolades for its ensemble and writing, while The White Lotus continued to reflect high production values and a sharp critique of social dynamics.
On the television side, Jennifer Coolidge’s performance in a drama series was highlighted, underscoring the varied landscape of platform-enabled storytelling where streaming services contest traditional broadcast dominance.
The Abbott Elementary cast faced stiff competition in acting categories, with Jean Smart awarded for her work in Hacks on a streaming platform and Jeremy Allen White earning recognition for The Bear on another major service. Jenna Ortega received critical acclaim for a leading role in a widely watched streaming series, though the award focus diverged for the comedy category this year.
Finally, Sam Elliott was celebrated for his portrayal in a limited series, joining others who have delivered memorable performances across long-form television. The SAG Awards also marked a milestone for accessibility in premiering content online, with significant portions of the ceremony streamed via major platforms to reach wider audiences.
As the SAG Awards continue to influence the season, industry observers note the evolving relationship between cinema and streaming, and how casting choices, performance recognition, and lifetime achievements shape the cultural conversation across North America. This event remains a bellwether for the industry as it navigates changes in distribution, audience expectations, and the ways stories are brought to life on screen. Citations: SAG Awards official communications and industry press coverage.