SAG Awards 2024 Recap – Winners, Speeches, and Surprises
Hollywood biggest stars gathered on Sunday for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards 2024, the last major awards show before the Academy Awards. The night wrapped up an unpredictable season, setting the stage for the much-anticipated Oscars next weekend. While the SAG Awards may not directly influence the winners—since Oscar voting had already closed—it gave a glimpse into industry sentiments and actor camaraderie.
Major Wins and Standout Performances
The night’s biggest honor, Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture, went to the papal thriller “Conclave”, solidifying its position as a formidable contender this awards season. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) continued their dominating streaks, securing wins in the acting categories.
Despite some unexpected upsets, heartwarming speeches and comedic moments defined the night. The ceremony, though lively, was plagued by multiple technical difficulties, including sound issues and teleprompter mishaps. However, Hollywood’s brightest found ways to keep the night engaging.
Nostalgic Reunions and Musical Surprises
The event brought together beloved TV casts, including mini-reunions from New Girl, The Good Place, and Gossip Girl, adding a delightful touch for fans. Actress Kristen Bell charmed the audience by kicking off the night with a playful musical number. Channeling her Frozen character Anna, she performed a humorous take on Do You Want to Build a Snowman?, reworked to reflect the life of a struggling actor.
As Bell sang, the cameras panned to the nominees’ priceless reactions, including Selena Gomez cringing at her past role on “Barney”, Jodie Foster laughing at her old sunscreen commercial, and Jason Segel visibly surprised to see himself as “Watermelon Guy” in Can’t Hardly Wait.
Kieran Culkin’s Unscripted Moment
A consistent source of entertainment throughout this awards season, Kieran Culkin delivered another off-the-cuff speech upon winning Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain”. Opening with a lighthearted quip—“Thank you, SAG AFTRA, for this incredibly heavy award”—Culkin playfully acknowledged the countdown timer on stage, using most of his speech time to riff about the weight of the trophy. However, he ended on a heartfelt note, thanking his wife, children, and Hallie Eisenberg, who suggested he be cast in the film:
“Thank you, Hallie, for considering me and mentioning my name your.”
Jane Fonda’s Powerful Speech
Legendary actress Jane Fonda, 87, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking her six-decade career in film and activism. Fonda’s speech blended humor and urgency as she reflected on her career and the importance of unions in today’s political landscape.
“This means the to me, and your enthusiasm transforms it from feeling like the twilight of my life to an encouragingGo, girl. Kick ass!’ which is good because I’m not done.”
Fonda used her platform to advocate for community, empathy, and activism, receiving multiple standing ovations.
Timothée Chalamet’s Competitive Fire
A highlight of the evening was Timothée Chalamet’s unexpected win for Best Actor for his performance in A Complete Unknown. After stumbling over his teleprompter lines earlier in the night, Chalamet recovered with a passionate acceptance speech, openly acknowledging his competitive drive.
“I cannot understate the importance of this award because it holds the utmost significance me. I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness.”
He cited his inspirations, listing Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, Viola Davis, Michael Jordan, and Michael Phelps, emphasizing his determination to leave a lasting impact.
Selena Gomez’s Surprise Win
Perhaps the most shocking victory of the night was Selena Gomez’s “Only Murders in the Building” winning Best TV Comedy Ensemble. The Hulu show had previously lost to Ted Lasso, Abbott Elementary, and The Bear, making the win even more unexpected.
Gomez, visibly stunned, began her speech with, “Wait, we never win. This is so weird.” She then warmly thanked her co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, acknowledging their mentorship:
“You have helped raise me. I am genuinely grateful to the writers. Everyone deserves this … I’m bringing this back to New York for Season 5!”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Colin Farrell’s Playful Banter
A moment of humor came when Jamie Lee Curtis presented the Best Actor in a Limited Series award, playfully calling out winner Colin Farrell as the person who gave her COVID at the Golden Globes.
Farrell, accepting the joke in good spirits, quickly shifted the blame to his Banshees of Inisherin co-star Brendan Gleeson, saying, “Guilty as charged! But Brendan gave it to me! I was just spreading the love.”
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Demi Moore’s Emotional Reflection
Following her emotional “popcorn actress” speech at the Golden Globes, Demi Moore delivered another touching moment upon winning Best Actress for “The Substance”. Reflecting on her career’s early days, she recalled getting her SAG-AFTRA card at 15 and how it transformed her life:
“As a child, was alone with no guidance life and I certainly had no knowledge of acting. But I watched, listened, and learned from all of you. You have all been my greatest teachers.”
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Looking Ahead to the Oscars
With the SAG Awards behind us, all eyes are now on the Academy Awards. While the night’s wins may not directly impact Oscar outcomes, they have given audiences a clearer picture of industry sentiments. Will Chalamet’s passion pay off at the Oscars? Will “Conclave” continue its winning streak? We’ll find out soon as Hollywood’s biggest night approaches.
