The 2024 SAG Awards: The glitz and glamour returned to Hollywood last night as the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) unfolded, honoring the best performances in film and television for the year 2023. This year’s ceremony streamed live on Netflix for the first time, saw a star-studded night filled with emotional speeches, unexpected wins, and heartwarming moments that solidified the power of storytelling and the impact of actors on our lives.
The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) took place on February 24th, 2024, marking a night of glitz, glamour, and recognition for the best performances in film and television. This year’s ceremony, streamed live on Netflix for the first time, saw familiar faces and rising stars alike take home coveted trophies. But before we dive into the winners, let’s rewind and reflect on the awards season journey so far.
A Night of Triumph and Recognition
Following the historic SAG-AFTRA strike that shook the industry in 2023, the 2024 SAG Awards felt particularly poignant, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration among actors. From the emotional win of Bradley Cooper for his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro” to the powerful acceptance speech of Danielle Brooks, who dedicated her award to the late Cicely Tyson for her role in “The Color Purple,” the night was filled with moments that resonated deeply with the audience.
Memorable Moments and Surprises
The 2024 SAG Awards were not short of surprises, with some unexpected wins shaking up the predicted outcome. The ensemble cast of “The Bear,” a dark comedy about a Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop, emerged victorious in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series category, beating out established favorites like “Succession” and “The Crown.” Likewise, Colman Domingo’s powerful performance in “Rustin” earned him the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, defying expectations and highlighting the diversity and talent recognized by the SAG Awards.
Looking Back and Forward: Awards Season in Review: The 2024 SAG Awards
The 2024 SAG Awards followed a whirlwind awards season filled with memorable moments. Let’s rewind a bit and revisit some key highlights:
- 2023 Critics Choice Awards: This ceremony saw “Everything Everywhere All at Once” sweep the top categories, including Best Picture and Best Director, while Michelle Yeoh and Brendan Fraser took home acting awards for their captivating performances.
- 2023 SAG Awards: Last year’s ceremony was marked by the historic win of Ariana DeBose for her role as Anita in “West Side Story,” becoming the first openly queer woman of color to win an acting SAG Award.
- Emmy Nominations: The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, announced in July 2023, saw “Succession” lead the pack with a whopping 25 nominations, followed by “Ted Lasso” and “Severance” with 20 nominations each. However, the awards themselves are still to come in September 2024, so the race is still wide open!
- Streaming Services Dominate: Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu continued their rise in the awards circuit, with “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building” taking home ensemble awards for television comedy and drama, respectively.
- History Made: Ariana DeBose became the first openly queer woman of color to win an acting SAG Award for her performance in “West Side Story.”
- Familiar Faces, New Recognition: While seasoned actors like Brian Cox and Colman Domingo earned well-deserved wins, rising stars like Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”) stole the spotlight with their heartfelt speeches.
Award Highlights and Surprises: The 2024 SAG Awards
- Big Wins for Film: “Oppenheimer” dominated the film categories, taking home Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Male Actor in a Leading Role for Christopher Nolan’s ambitious biopic.
- TV Surprises: The small-screen saw some unexpected upsets, with the breakout comedy “The Bear” winning Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series over the heavily-favored “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
- Quote of the Night: When accepting her award for Female Actor in a Leading Role for “Barbie,” Margot Robbie quipped, “This is the first time I’ve ever won an award for playing a doll. Hopefully, it won’t be the last!”
SAG Awards vs. Critics Choice vs. Emmys: A Battle for Supremacy?
With three major awards shows honoring television, comparisons are inevitable. While the SAG Awards focus solely on acting, the Critics Choice and Emmys encompass a wider range of categories. This year, however, there were some interesting overlaps:
- “Oppenheimer” vs. “The Fabelmans”: Both biopics dominated their respective ceremonies, with “Oppenheimer” sweeping the SAG Awards and “The Fabelmans” taking home multiple Critics Choice Awards. Could this be a preview of the Emmy race?
- Snubbed by SAG, Embraced by Critics: Some fan-favorites, like “Better Call Saul” and “Severance,” were absent from the SAG nominations but earned recognition at the Critics Choice Awards. Will they find redemption at the Emmys?
Fun Facts : The 2024 SAG Awards
- This year’s ceremony marked the first time the SAG Awards were streamed live on Netflix, a major shift from their traditional broadcast partnership.
- The SAG Awards are unique in that they are voted on by fellow actors, making them particularly meaningful within the industry.
- Remember the infamous “Envelopegate” at the 2017 Oscars? SAG Awards co-host Colman Domingo hilariously referenced it during his opening monologue, reminding everyone that live shows can be unpredictable!
- Did you know the SAG Awards are voted on by fellow actors, making them particularly meaningful for the performers themselves?
- The iconic SAG statuette, a nude male figure holding masks of comedy and tragedy, is based on the Greek god Dionysus, the patron of theater.
- This year’s ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of “The King’s Speech” winning the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
- First-time nominee wins! Ariana DeBose, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Jessica Chastain all secured their first SAG Awards wins this year.
- Bradley Cooper’s emotional speech: After winning Best Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for “Maestro,” Cooper delivered a heartfelt tribute to his late father.
- “The power of stories”: “The Last of Us” star Pedro Pascal, accepting the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series award, reminded everyone of the unifying power of storytelling.
More Than Just Awards: The Impact of SAG Awards: The 2024 SAG Awards
As we celebrate the winners and nominees of the 2024 SAG Awards, it’s important to remember that these awards extend beyond the glitz and glamour of the ceremony. The SAG Awards, voted on by fellow actors, recognize and celebrate the dedication, talent, and collaborative spirit that bring stories to life. They serve as a reminder of the power of acting to entertain, inspire, and connect us all.
Quotes to Conclude: The 2024 SAG Awards
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
- “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso
With these words in mind, let’s raise a glass to the 2024 SAG Awards and all the talented actors who continue to captivate us on the big and small screens!
Famous Quotes to Ponder: The 2024 SAG Awards
- “The one thing that all actors have in common is we all sit in the same chairs in the waiting room.” – Viola Davis, accepting the Life Achievement Award at the 2018 SAG Awards.
- “It’s not about winning awards, it’s about telling stories.” – Leonardo DiCaprio, accepting the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for “The Revenant” in 2016.
Looking Forward: The 2024 SAG Awards
The awards season may be winding down, but the entertainment industry never sleeps. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming projects from the 2024 SAG Award winners and nominees, and tune in to the next chapter in the ever-evolving world of film and television.
