Screen Actors Guild Awards

I had never watched the SAG Awards before. This year was the 17th ceremony (47th year of the awards). It has its own vibe; everyone sits at tables and is served dinner, similar to the Golden Globes. It is also a very pro-union room. It is after all, the actor's union. There are Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actress/Actor for movies and television comedy/drama/miniseries. What is unique about the SAGs is that Best Ensemble Cast is a category.

The broadcast began with a 45 second quick view of red carpet arrivals. Clearly an effort to mirror the Globes and Oscars. Most of the television categories were announced first, and I was eager for the movie categories!

The winners in the categories included in the Oscars:

Melissa Leo won Best Supporting Actress for the Fighter (she will also win the Oscar).

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor, also for the Fighter (he's a lock for Oscar).

Natalie Portman won Best Actress for Black Swan (looks like Oscar will go home with her too).

Colin Firth won Best Actor for the King's Speech (also the likely Oscar winner).

The King's Speech received the Best Ensemble Cast for a Motion Picture. I was a little surprised. I thought the Fighter was the ensemble to beat. Tom Hooper, director of the King's Speech, also won at the Director's Guild Awards this weekend. With 12 Oscar nominations, this strengthens the films front runner status for Best Picture.

Below are a complete list of the SAG winners. I love that Modern Family won Best Comedy TV Ensemble.

MOVIES
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The King’s Speech

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, The Fighter

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo, The Fighter

TELEVISION
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Modern Family


Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Al Pacino, You Don’t Know Jack


Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Claire Danes, Temple Grandin

Screen Actors Guild Awards 47th Annual Life Achievement Award
Ernest Borgnine