The SAG Awards’ most iconic moments ever

While it may be one of the newer ceremonies, the Screen Actors Guild Awards has cemented itself as one of the must-watch shows of awards season. 

Established in 1995, the annual SAGs are the only televised awards show to exclusively honour actors and is an extra special honour as it shows they’ve been honoured by their peers. 

The nominations and winners are decided by SAG-AFTRA members, comprised of 160,000 media professionals, such as actors, broadcast journalists, singers and stunt performers.

The SAG Awards are also tipped as the best indicator for the Oscars results, with the winners then emerging as frontrunners for the Academy Awards. 

Now we take a look at the most memorable moments in SAG Awards history.  

SAG Awards memorable moments: When Stranger Things scooped Best Ensemble Drama in 2017 Winona Ryder that stole the show with her vast range of animated facial expressions

Winona Ryder becomes an instant meme 

When Stranger Things scooped Best Ensemble Drama in 2017 the cast were quick to take to the stage, with David Harbour delivering a well prepared speech about unity.  

Yet it was co-star Winona Ryder that stole the show, with her vast range of animated facial expressions quickly catching attention.  

With looks of confusion, consternation, and eventually delight, she sparked a sudden flood of memes on social media. 

When her co-star Gaten Matarazzo was questioned about the bizarre moment he shared his theory that the veteran actress just had trouble hearing the powerful speech. 

Carrie Fisher’s sweet moment with mum Debbie Reynolds

When Debbie Reynolds received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 there was no better person to present it than her daughter, Carrie Fisher. 

The pair were famously close and Carrie began her introduction by quipping: ‘She has been more than a mother to me – not much, but definitely more.’ 

Carrie went on to explain: ‘She’s been an unsolicited stylist, interior decorator and marriage counselor’, noting that Debbie was co-founder of a charity that had raised more than $30 million for mental health and quippong ‘four-and-half million of that money is allocated just for me!’

The mother-daughter shared a hug as Debbie took to the stage for her speech, which she concluded by stating ‘I ain’t down yet.’  

2015: When Debbie Reynolds received the Lifetime Achievement Award there was no better person to present it than her daughter, Carrie Fisher

Cate Blanchett lashes out at Matthew McConaughey  

During the 2014 SAG Awards, Cate Blanchett was left fuming when show bosses attempted to cut her acceptance speech short. 

The film star took to the stage after winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Blue Jasmine. 

However, she was only onstage for a few moments when the teleprompter began to count her down and indicate that she needed to leave the stage shortly. 

An enraged Cate hit back and was quick to point out that the male recipient of the award, Matthew McConaughey, had been given ample time for his speech, during which he rambled on about outer space and sailing. 

She seethed: ‘I’ve been away from the film industry for a long time making theater…29 seconds?! Matthew McConaughey spoke about Neptune and I think I can have five seconds!’

Her quip worked and she was able to finish her speech in a timely manner during which time she seemed to be sending another signal as she rubbed her SAG Award statue in a very suggestive manner. 

2014: Cate Blanchett was fuming when show bosses attempted to cut her acceptance speech short and pointed out Matthew McConaughey had been given ample time to ramble on

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Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne stage a red carpet protest 

Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg and his wife Jocelyn Towne made their political views very clear when they staged a red carpet protest at the 2017 awards. 

Jocelyn, niece of famed screenwriter Robert Towne, scrawled ‘Let them in’, across her chest in marker pen as her partner carried a sign reading ‘refugees welcome’.

The statement was in clear response to President Trump’s immigration ban that had been brought in days earlier, halting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Iraq. 

Simon and Jocelyn weren’t the only stars to disagree with the ruling and during the awards show, many actors took the opportunity on live TV to speak out against the policy. 

2017: Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg and his wife Jocelyn Towne made their political views very clear when they staged a red carpet protest at the 2017 Awards

Betty White roasts Sandra Bullock 

The late Betty White left the audience in hysterics when she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. 

The comedy actress was 93 at the time but proved she was still sharp as a tack and as quick-witted as ever as she delivered a slew of zingers in her speech. 

The hilarity began before she even got onto the speech, as she roasted Sandra Bullock, her co-star in The Proposal. 

As Sandra was hosting the segment, Betty was quick to grab her hand and declare: ‘And the fact that this lovely lady, she is such a wonderful one and with all the wonderful things that have happened to her… Isn’t it heartening to see how far a girl as plain as she is can go?’

She went on to deliver a funny and impassioned speech with lines such as: ‘All those years that I had no idea I’d still be working through [are] so much thanks to you and your mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers. And a couple of great grandfathers when I was younger!’ 

2018: The late Betty White left the audience in hysterics when she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and roasted Sandra Bullock, her co-star in The Proposal

Kristen Bell takes aim at Melania Trump

Kristen Bell took a thinly-veiled swipe at Melania Trump in her opening monologue at the 2018 ceremony.

Referencing how the show was using all-female hosts – and that she was the first on stage – Kristen took an opportunity to mock the First Lady’s campaign to stop cyber bullying.

‘I never thought I’d grow up to be the first lady, but you know what? I kinda like it. I think my first initiative as First Lady will be cyber-bullying, because I have yet to see any progress made on that problem quite yet.’

The actress straddled a fine line between sincerity and humour in her opening monologue in a ceremony that had been plagued by the recent sexual assaults allegations in Hollywood. 

Discussing the #MeToo movement, she said: ‘As we are march forward with active momentum and open ears, let’s make sure we are leading the charge with empathy and diligence because fear and anger never win the race.

‘And most importantly, regardless of our differences, I think we can all come together in delight of one thing – Frozen 2 is coming out in theaters in 2019.’ 

2018: Kristen Bell took a thinly-veiled swipe at Melania Trump in her opening monologue as she mocked the First Lady’s campaign to stop cyber bullying.

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Leonardo DiCaprio enjoys a Titanic reunion with Kate Winslet

After five individual SAG Award nominations Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first award at the 2016 ceremony. 

The actor scooped the gong for his role in The Revenant and was congratulated by none other than his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet. 

The pair have remained close since their 1997 blockbuster film and Kate had earlier admitted to being Leonardo’s biggest supporter that awards season.

Revelling in the star’s recognition that year she said she’d been ‘so focused on Leo and him winning everything’ that she wasn’t even thinking about her own nominations.

2016: After five individual nominations Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first SAG award and was congratulated by none other than his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet

Morgan Freeman ‘rows’ with the audience 

Fans were left in shock when Morgan Freeman appeared to row with an audience member after accepting the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

During his speech, the veteran actor suddenly stopped and called out ‘Hey… I’m talking to you. Yeah, hey. You just stand out to me. That’s all.’

Viewers were quick to assume that a star had been chatting or distracted, prompting Morgan to call them out. 

However, he later revealed that he’d just been thrown by seeing Lily Tomlin and wanted to give her some personal recognition. 

He admitted: ‘She’s a wonder in herself and I’ve always loved her. I see her and I say hello!’

2018: Fans were left in shock when Morgan Freeman appeared to row with an audience member after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award

Alison Brie defends James Franco after sexual assault allegations

Alison Brie was left in an awkward position when she was quizzed about her brother-in-law James Franco’s sexual assault allegations on the red carpet. 

A month before the 2018 ceremony took place an article was released in which five women accused the actor of sexually inappropriate behavior.

Addressing the reports, Alison – who is married to James’ younger brother Dave Franco – said: ‘I think that above all what we’ve always said is it remains vital that anyone that feels victimized should and does have the right to speak out and come forward. 

‘I obviously support my family. Not everything that has been reported is fully accurate, so I think we’re waiting to get all the information.

‘But of course now is the time for listening and that’s what we’re all trying to do.’

2018: Alison Brie was left in an awkward position when she was quizzed about her brother-in-law James Franco’s sexual assault allegations on the red carpet

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston reunite

Viewers at the 2020 SAG Awards were treated to Noughties nostalgia when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were seen larking around at the ceremony.  

The former couple, who divorced in 2005 after five years of marriage, looked ecstatic as they reunited at the bash after both being nominated. 

When Brad scooped Best Supporting Actor for Once Up a Time… in Hollywood, Jennifer could be seen laughing as he joked about his love life and being on Tinder during his acceptance speech.

Moments later Jennifer won Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Morning Show, with Brad beaming and cheering her on as she took to the stage. 

2020: Viewers were treated to Noughties nostalgia when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were seen larking around at the ceremony

This year The Banshees Of Inisherin and Everything Everywhere All At Once lead the nominations and have tied for the most nods in history, scoring five each.

It’s an honour also achieved by Shakespeare in Love (1998), Chicago (2002), and Doubt (2008).

In the television category Better Call Saul and Ozark have scored several nods.

The 2023 SAG Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 26 and broadcast live on Netflix’s YouTube channel at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 4pm GMT.