This year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards served unique red carpet looks and several historic wins. Many of the nominees this year were also nominated for Oscars and Emmys, and the 2023 SAG Awards were a show of how much progress has been made in regards to diversity and the combatting of ageism in Hollywood.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was formed in 1933 as a labor union for actors. In 2012, SAG merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, to form SAG-AFTRA. Every year, the union hosts the SAG awards to honor the acting sector of the union.
From Zendaya’s red carpet break from her busy filming schedule to Brendan Fraser’s second big win during this awards season, here’s a breakdown of the best moments from this year’s SAG ceremony.
Jamie Lee Curtis Mentions Being a Nepo Baby
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who was nominated at this year’s SAG awards for her role as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in Everything Everywhere All At Once, gave a humorous speech about her unique journey to success. Amid the ongoing conversation surrounding nepotism in the entertainment industry, Jamie Lee Curtis is self aware as a member of an older generation of nepo babies. With decades of success to back her up, Curtis was more than happy to poke fun at her bumpy career beginnings in front of SAG-AFTRA.
Jamie Lee Curtis proudly referring to herself as a nepo baby during her “I am an actor” speech was perfection #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/5vksrPUHTh
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) February 27, 2023
Jenna Ortega and Aubrey Plaza’s Deadpan Presentation
Actress Aubrey Plaza has long been known for her comedic deadpan delivery since her role as April Ludgate in the popular television series Parks and Rec. Plaza’s signature comedy often even follows her into red carpet interviews. Jenna Ortega more recently experimented with this acting style in her role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday. The actresses presented the award for best male actor in a television film or limited series, and quickly recognized their similarities.
This moment between Jenna Ortega and Aubrey Plaza at the #SAGAwards. ???????? pic.twitter.com/pshuBeGWJv
— Complex Pop Culture (@ComplexPop) February 27, 2023
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Ke Huy Quan Made SAG-AFTRA History
Quan took home a win for best male actor in a supporting film role for his role as Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once. He is the first Asian actor to ever win in this category, and delivered a powerful acceptance speech about the importance of diverse representation. Quan has previously spoken about how his hiatus from acting was born out of a lack of opportunities for Asian actors in Hollywood.
Ke Huy Quan is a national treasure. #SAGAwards2023 #KeHuyQuan pic.twitter.com/Z4tzxsGqaF
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) February 27, 2023
Jennifer Coolidge Took a Walk Down Memory Lane
Coolidge took home the award for best actress for her role as Tanya McQuoid in The White Lotus. She got emotional when thanking her family for inspiring her to pursue acting. She then told a sweet story about her father helping her skip a day of first grade to go to a film festival. Coolidge has been known for her quirky and hilarious award acceptance speeches, especially during her The White Lotus run this rewards season.
‘It was impossible for them to lie’ — Jennifer Coolidge credits the one time her dad lied for creating her love of acting while accepting the SAG award for Female Actor in a Drama Series for her performance in ‘The White Lotus’ pic.twitter.com/WZRp1CB8ct
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) February 27, 2023
Brendan Fraser Won Best Actor
Fraser recently made his big screen return in A24’s The Whale. He previously took a break from acting after he alleged that the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, sexually assaulted him in 2003. Fraser previously won a Critic’s Choice Award for this role as well. His speech touched upon the challenges he has worked through in his life and career.
Brendan Fraser accepts the #SAGAwards for the "role of his life" in #TheWhale pic.twitter.com/Sr8xfL0fCW
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 27, 2023
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Many of this year’s winners have been widely nominated across several award shows this season–from the Golden Globes to the Oscars. The pattern of wins may offer some insight into Oscars predictions, but viewers can only wait and see.
