It was an evening filled with star power.
The 2026 SAG Actor Awards took place on Sunday, March 1st, streamed live on Netflix at 8 p.m. Hosted by Kristen Bell, the event unfolded at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
Stars like Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, Patricia Arquette, Kate Hudson, Jacob Elordi, Chase Infinity, and Patrick Schwarzenegger were all in attendance. Notably, Harrison Ford received the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a remarkable career spanning since 1983.
The evening kicked off with various actors sharing insights about their careers, which was a nice touch. But the real highlight? A rare appearance by Michael J. Fox, who was met with raucous applause. Just shy of his 65th birthday, Fox has largely stepped back from such events due to health challenges stemming from Parkinson’s disease. Reflecting on his journey, he humorously noted that his kids are his greatest gifts, having met their mother on “Family Ties.” “Sometimes I like to remind them that if it wasn’t for acting, they wouldn’t be here,” he quipped before proudly stating, “I’m Michael J. Fox. I’m a father and I’m an actor.”
Highlight – The Best Moment: Michael J. Fox
Fox’s heartfelt moment stood in sharp contrast to some of the night’s blunders. For example, Sterling K. Brown faced an awkward moment when he flubbed a joke while presenting an award with Janelle James. In a comedic skit, James pretended to act out a scene, and Brown’s scripted response didn’t land as intended. “Wouldn’t it have been better if she were white…I mean, what if she was black?” he said, stumbling into confusion. It was a misstep, but he handled it with humor, joking that even if he messed up, he could still be funny.
Highlight – Catherine O’Hara’s Emotional Win
Catherine O’Hara was honored posthumously for her performance in “The Studio.” Seth Rogen accepted the award, which was met with a standing ovation, leaving many teary-eyed. “I was asked to take on the very sad honor of accepting this award on her behalf,” he noted, echoing the sentiment of loss shared by many present.
Lowlight – Kristen Bell’s Ping Pong Joke
Conversely, a bit that featured Bell and Ted Danson playing table tennis felt overly drawn-out and somewhat pointless as it was recycled throughout the night. It seemed to detract from the overall flow of the event.
Highlight – Amy Madigan’s Achievement
Amy Madigan’s award for Best Supporting Actress was another win for the night. At 75, she reflected on finally receiving recognition after years in the industry, even making light of how the award reminded her of childhood toys. “And you smashed his drawer and Ken had nothing!” she exclaimed, prompting laughter from the audience.
Lowlight – Woody Harrelson’s Chaotic Speech
On a less favorable note, Woody Harrelson’s introduction of Harrison Ford didn’t resonate well. His aimless ramble, though humorous to some, seemed to confuse others in the audience. Harrelson closed by acknowledging the speech’s disarray while trying to pay homage to Ford.
Grand Prize – Harrison Ford’s Impactful Words
Ford’s acceptance speech for his lifetime achievement award was surprisingly poignant. He remarked on the honor, humorously noting how strange it was to receive such an award halfway through his career. Expressing gratitude for his peers, he emphasized the power of storytelling in their work.
Highlight – Michael B. Jordan’s Unexpected Win
Finally, Michael B. Jordan’s win for Best Actor was a notable upset. While many anticipated Timothée Chalamet or Leonardo DiCaprio would take the prize, Jordan’s portrayal in “The Sinners” won over the audience. “I never expected anything like this!” he said, acknowledging the love and support he felt in the room and expressing gratitude toward his mother for her early encouragement.
