SAG Awards recap: skits, nominations and winner speeches

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SAG | Courtesy of the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®

Melani Bonilla, Multimedia Editor

On Sunday, Feb. 26, the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards took place in Century City, Los Angeles. The SAG Awards exclusively honor actors, whereas other ceremonies focus on multiple facets of production ranging from directors to sound composers.

SAG Awards nominees, unlike the Oscars or the Golden Globes, are determined by fellow actors themselves.

The award ceremony started by presenting the category for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. The nominees included Emily Blunt for “The English,” Julia Garner for “Inventing Anna,” Jessica Chastain for “George & Tammy,” Niecy Nash-Betts for “Dahmer” and Amanda Seyfried for “The Dropout.”

Chastain won the award, taking the title while almost stumbling up the stage steps. She presented her speech by saying, “I need to thank PIAS and Chris and Keith and everyone at Showtime because the only reason I’m up here is because they convinced people to watch the show, and I’m so grateful to them…”

Jenna Ortega and Aubrey Plaza then took the stage and performed a skit where they staged their deadpan personas, something both of their characters are known for,  before presenting the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.

Nominees included Steve Carell for “The Patient,” Taron Egerton for “Black Bird,” Paul Walter Hauser for “Black Bird,” Evan Peters for “Dahmer” and winner Sam Elliot for “1883.” Elliot spoke on his acceptance, noting “What can I say 45 seconds after just receiving the most meaningful acknowledgment of my 55-year career?”

The broadcast then screened a recap of the most meaningful acceptance speeches and awards given to winners Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and The Black Panther cast amongst others.

Afterwards, Amy Poehler and Adam Scott took the stage to present the category for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, but not before they engaged in a skit where Poehler and Scott bickered about dramatic and comedic actors. Poehler commented on Scotts’ new “dramatic persona” now that he produces and stars in a hit drama series, “Severance.”

The nominees included Christina Applegate for “Dead to Me,” Rachel Brosnahan for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Quinta Brunson for “Abbott Elementary,” Jenna Ortega for “Wednesday” and winner Jean Smart for “Hacks.”

Smart wasn’t there to accept her award, reportedly recovering from a heart procedure, but Christopher McDonald accepted it on her behalf. “She couldn’t be here tonight. I’m going to read her message to you all,” McDonald said, proceeding to read Smart’s acknowledgements and well-wishes.

Ashley Park and Haley Lu Richardson followed, announcing the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Winner Jeremy Allen White for “The Bear” accepted his award, saying “And to all of you who make things here, that make me feel a little less lonely, that make me feel a little more connected, more understood, and a lot more understanding, I thank you so much.”

The White Lotus piled on two awards for the night including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and Jennifer Coolidge’s win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.

Other winners included Brendan Fraser for “The Whale,” Jason Bateman for “Ozark” and “Top Gun: Maverick” for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture. Netflix series “Stranger Things” won Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series, and Abbott Elementary for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

The motion picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once” racked up four awards for the night. Taking home the prizes for the categories Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

Michelle Yeoh’s win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role had her teary-eyed. “This is not just for me; this is for every little girl that looks like me,” she said.

Mark Wahlberg ended the night by presenting the nominees for the category Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. It included “Babylon,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “The Fabelmans,” “Women Talking” and the winning cast of “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

Discussing the win, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star James Hong delivered an empowering speech, saying that “Back in those days…the leading role was played by these guys with their eyes taped up like this, and they talked like this, because the producer said the Asians were not good enough and they are not box office. But look at us now, huh?”