The Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, kicked off with a dazzling display of Hollywood glamour as host Kristen Bell made a showstopping entrance on the red carpet Sunday evening. Held at the iconic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the star-studded event served as a crucial precursor to the Academy Awards, just two weeks away, heightening anticipation for potential Oscar winners.
Bell's Bold Fashion Statement
Among the cavalcade of nominees, Bell, 45, commanded attention in a breathtaking see-through gown that left little to the imagination. The diaphanous fabric revealed she wore no bra and only minimal nude underwear, artfully designed to create the illusion of no undergarments at all. Her daring choice set social media abuzz and solidified her status as a fashion risk-taker on the awards circuit.
Warm Reunion with Co-Star
While navigating the red carpet, Bell shared a heartwarming moment with her Nobody Wants This co-star Jackie Tohn. Tohn excitedly beckoned Bell over, leading to a cozy embrace and a playful near-kiss, captured by Entertainment Tonight. The actresses, who have starred together on the Netflix sitcom since 2024, appeared utterly delighted in each other's company, laughing giddily as they mingled among the glittering crowd.
Bell's Hosting Legacy
This marks Bell's third time serving as mistress of ceremonies for the event, having previously hosted the then-SAG Awards in 2025 and 2018. Her experience and charm made her a natural choice to guide the evening's proceedings, which celebrated outstanding performances across film and television.
High-Stakes Film Categories
The ceremony featured several hotly contested categories that could foreshadow Oscar outcomes. In the race for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another) faced off against Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), with Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) rounding out the nominees.
For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You) competed against Emma Stone (Bugonia), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Chase Infinity (One Battle After Another).
Supporting Actor Showdowns
The supporting categories were equally competitive. Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn both represented One Battle After Another for best supporting actor, alongside Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Paul Mescal (Hamnet), and Miles Caton (Sinners). Meanwhile, Ariana Grande earned a nod for Wicked: For Good in the female supporting category, competing with Odessa A'Zion (Marty Supreme), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Amy Madigan (Sinners).
Ensemble and Cast Honors
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture pitted Hamnet, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and Sinners against each other. In television, Seth Rogen's new show The Studio vied for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series against Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, and Only Murders in the Building.
Notable TV Nominations
The comedy series category featured nominations for Rogen and the recently departed Catherine O'Hara (The Studio), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building), Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), and Jean Smart (Hacks). Bell's current co-star Adam Brody received a nod for Nobody Wants This, while her former The Good Place colleague Ted Danson was recognized for A Man on the Inside.
In drama series, the ensemble race included heavyweights like The White Lotus, The Pitt, Severance, The Diplomat, and Landman. Individual drama actor nominees included Noah Wyle (The Pitt), Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), and Billy Crudup (The Morning Show).
Limited Series and Special Honors
The acclaimed miniseries Adolescence earned multiple nominations in the limited series and TV movie categories, with recognition for Erin Doherty, Christine Tremarco, Stephen Graham, and Owen Cooper. Other notable nominees included Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault), Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), and Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story).
The evening culminated with the presentation of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award to Harrison Ford, 83, honoring his remarkable half-century career in film. As the awards season reaches its peak, the Actor Awards provided both glamorous moments and critical insights into the industry's top talents, setting the stage for the upcoming Oscars.
