The entertainment industry gathered at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 1, for the 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards. The ceremony celebrated exceptional performances across film and television, with several notable winners emerging from highly competitive categories.
Kristen Bell, 45, returned to host the prestigious event for the third consecutive year, maintaining her position as the only official emcee since the ceremony began utilizing hosts in 2018. The Nobody Wants This star approached her hosting duties with a commitment to unity and entertainment, explicitly avoiding political commentary and celebrity roasting that has characterized other recent awards shows.
"It's a political-free zone," Bell stated in advance of the ceremony. "There's something for everyone. There will be no division on the show." She further distinguished her hosting approach from contemporaries such as Nikki Glaser and Trevor Noah by emphasizing self-deprecating humor over targeted jokes at fellow performers.
Television Categories Recognize Diverse Talent
Among the evening's television winners, Keri Russell secured the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series award for her role in The Diplomat. Russell prevailed over a competitive field that included Britt Lower from Severance, Parker Posey and Aimee Lou Wood from The White Lotus, and Rhea Seehorn from Pluribus.
Seth Rogen claimed the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series honor for his work on The Studio. The Apple TV+ series, which led television nominations with five total nods, positioned Rogen ahead of fellow nominees including Adam Brody, Ted Danson, Ike Barinholtz, and Martin Short.
In the limited series category, Michelle Williams earned recognition for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for her portrayal in Dying for Sex. Williams competed against Claire Danes, Erin Doherty, Sarah Snook, and Christine Tremarco for the distinction.
Posthumous Nomination Honors Late Catherine O'Hara
The ceremony included a poignant posthumous nomination for Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in January at age 71. The beloved Schitt's Creek star received recognition in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series category for her work on The Studio, underscoring her enduring impact on the entertainment community.
Film Nominations Reflect Competitive Field
The film categories presented highly contested races across all performance classifications. One Battle After Another dominated film nominations with seven total nods, including recognition in the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category. The production garnered multiple individual nominations, including Leonardo DiCaprio for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role and Chase Infiniti for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.
Sinners followed closely with five nominations, including a leading role nod for Michael B. Jordan and supporting recognition for Miles Caton and Wunmi Mosaku. The film also competed for the ensemble cast award alongside Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and One Battle After Another.
The supporting actor categories showcased diverse performances, with nominees including Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Jacob Elordi, and Paul Mescal competing for male honors. The female supporting category featured Ariana Grande for Wicked: For Good, alongside Odessa A'zion, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor.
Ensemble Categories Highlight Collaborative Excellence
The ensemble categories recognized outstanding collaborative performances across both television formats. In drama series, The Diplomat, Landman, The Pitt, Severance, and The White Lotus competed for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The comedy series ensemble category featured Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, and The Studio.
The 2026 Actor Awards ceremony represented a significant moment for the entertainment industry, celebrating artistic achievement while maintaining the inclusive, celebratory atmosphere Bell promised in her hosting approach. The event's rebranding from the SAG Awards to the Actor Awards marks an evolution in how the organization presents its annual recognition of excellence in performance.