Red Carpet Glamour and Golden Triumphs at The Actor Awards
Los Angeles shimmered with star power on Sunday night as the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, unfolded at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall. The event, a cornerstone of awards season, celebrated the exceptional talent of performers across film and television.
Leading the pack in sartorial splendour was none other than Fran Drescher. The iconic television personality, aged 68, channelled timeless Hollywood glamour with a breathtaking strapless black sequin gown. Her ensemble was artfully complemented by a voluminous pink feather shawl, adding a touch of theatrical flair. For an extra dash of drama, Drescher, who previously served as SAG-AFTRA president from 2021 to 2025, donned a chic black top hat, perched atop her dark brunette hair styled in an elegant low bun. Her accessories included antique stud earrings and a delicate diamond Hamsa pendant, a symbol of protection and divine power, significant to her Jewish faith. Drescher, ever the showstopper, playfully tipped her hat to the assembled photographers, her smile radiant against the backdrop of the bustling red carpet.
Adding a personal touch to her evening, Drescher was accompanied by her ex-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, also 68. The former couple, who were married for 21 years before divorcing in 1998, have maintained a remarkably close friendship. Jacobson publicly came out as gay shortly after their separation, and their enduring bond continues to be a testament to their deep connection. Drescher, who is currently single, has spoken openly and with characteristic humour about their unique relationship, even playfully referring to Jacobson as a “bit of a c***block” in a January interview when discussing her post-divorce dating life. “I take him to everything, and I don’t really care. I have a gay ex-husband – live with it!” she quipped, highlighting their unwavering support for one another. She further elaborated, “But I’ve been with him since I was 15. Who can compete with that? And over the years, he grew tremendously. He’s not the same person. Neither one of us are who we were when we were married.”
Drescher’s presence at The Actor Awards also marks a significant moment in the union’s leadership transition. It follows the election of Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin as the new president of SAG-AFTRA. Drescher opted not to seek re-election in 2025 after her four-year tenure, even endorsing Astin during his campaign. This year’s ceremony saw the official rebranding of the SAG Awards to The Actor Awards, a strategic move aimed at aligning the show with its signature statuette, “The Actor,” strengthening its global identity, and keeping the focus firmly on performers honouring their peers.
The Actor Awards 2026: A Snapshot of the Winners
The night was filled with deserving recipients across a multitude of categories. Here’s a look at some of the key winners:
Film
- Cast in a Motion Picture: Sinners
- Male Actor in a Leading Role: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
- Female Actor in a Leading Role: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Amy Madigan – Weapons
- Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Television
- Ensemble in a Drama Series: The Pitt
- Male Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
- Female Actor in a Drama Series: Keri Russell – The Diplomat
- Ensemble in a Comedy Series: The Studio
- Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen – The Studio
- Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Catherine O’Hara – The Studio
- Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: Owen Cooper – Adolescence
- Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: Michelle Williams – Dying For Sex
The ceremony was once again expertly helmed by Kristen Bell, who returned as host for her third time, having previously graced the stage in 2018 and 2025. Show-runner and executive producer Jon Brockett expressed his delight, stating, “Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family. One you actually want to hang out with.”
Streaming live on Netflix, the awards show presented honours across 28 categories, encompassing film, television, and limited series. Each race featured six nominees, with the exception of Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which boasted eight contenders.
On the film front, One Battle After Another led the nominations with an impressive seven nods, closely followed by Sinners with five. The competition for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role was particularly fierce, featuring heavyweights such as Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another and Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, who ultimately took home the win. Similarly, the Female Actor in a Leading Role category was a star-studded affair, with Jessie Buckley’s powerful performance in Hamnet earning her the coveted award.
The television landscape also saw intense competition. In the comedy realm, The Studio emerged as a dominant force, securing five nominations and cementing its status as a favourite among actors. It vied for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series against other acclaimed shows like Abbott Elementary and The Bear. Individual comedy acting categories featured standout performances from talents like Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara, with O’Hara ultimately clinching the win for her role in The Studio.
The drama categories were equally gripping, with series such as The White Lotus, Severance, and The Diplomat contending for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Noah Wyle’s compelling performance in The Pitt earned him the award for Male Actor in a Drama Series, while Keri Russell took home the prize for Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role in The Diplomat.
Limited series and television movies continued to prove their awards prowess. Michelle Williams’ moving portrayal in Dying For Sex secured her the award for Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, while Owen Cooper’s performance in Adolescence earned him the male counterpart.
Notable Moments and Surprises
As with any awards ceremony, The Actor Awards were not without their moments of surprise and discussion. Notable snubs included Cynthia Erivo, whose absence from the nominations for Wicked: For Good was widely discussed. Fans also noted the lack of nominations for Gwyneth Paltrow and Dwayne Johnson, and questions were raised about the limited international representation among the acting nominees. The omission of films like Sentimental Value and television shows such as Death by Lightning also fuelled further debate.
However, the evening also delivered delightful surprises, with supporting nominations for rising stars like Odessa A’Zion (Marty Supreme) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), highlighting the impressive depth of talent recognised this year.
Adding a significant layer of prestige to the event, Hollywood legend Harrison Ford was honoured with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. With a career spanning over five decades, Ford has left an indelible mark on cinema, anchoring iconic franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. “I am deeply honored to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award,” Ford stated. “To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me. I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews, and I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community.”
Representing the future of the industry, Bridgerton breakout star Yerin Ha served as this year’s Ambassador for The Actor Awards. “Being named The Actor Awards Ambassador is such an honor because this ceremony is about actors celebrating actors,” Ha shared. “There is something uniquely powerful about being recognized within your own community. As someone who cares so deeply about the craft and about collaboration, it means so much to represent the next generation of actors and be part of an event that uplifts storytelling.”
