The energy inside the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023, wasn't just typical awards season static. It felt heavy. Significant. You’ve probably seen the clips of Ke Huy Quan sobbing or Jamie Lee Curtis looking genuinely shocked, but the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was more than just a trophy exchange. It was a total vibe shift for the industry.
Honestly, people usually look at the SAG Awards as a "pre-game" for the Oscars. It's often just a predictable pit stop. But the 29th edition? It broke the mold. It was the first time the show ditched traditional cable networks like TNT and TBS to stream live on Netflix’s YouTube channel. A weird move at the time, sure, but it felt like a glimpse into a future where the red carpet is basically digital-first.
The Night Everything Everywhere All at Once Made History
If you weren't living under a rock in 2023, you know Everything Everywhere All at Once (EEAAO) was the darling of the year. But no one expected a total clean sweep. The film didn't just win; it dominated, taking home four major awards. That’s a record. No other film in the history of the SAG Awards had ever managed to snag four trophies in a single night.
Michelle Yeoh’s win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role was the emotional anchor. She didn’t just give a speech; she gave a manifesto. "This is for every little girl that looks like me," she said, her voice shaking but certain. It was a massive moment because she became the first Asian woman to win that specific category.
Then you had Ke Huy Quan.
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Man, his story is basically a movie itself. He’d stepped away from acting for decades because the roles just weren't there. When he won for Supporting Male Actor, he became the first Asian man to win an individual film SAG award. His speech—mentioning how he’d been told he was making history—was the kind of thing that makes even the most cynical industry veterans tear up.
The Jamie Lee Curtis Upset
We have to talk about the "nepo baby" in the room. Jamie Lee Curtis actually called herself that during the "I Am an Actor" intro. It was hilarious and kind of refreshing. Most people thought Angela Bassett was a lock for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. When Jamie Lee’s name was called for Supporting Female Actor, the room went wild.
She looked floored. Like, actually stunned.
It reminded everyone that the SAG Awards are voted on by actors. These aren't critics or journalists; they're peers. They clearly loved the chaotic energy she brought to that IRS auditor role.
TV Wins That Actually Made Sense
While the movies were busy breaking records, the TV categories were doing their own thing. The White Lotus (specifically the Sicily season) took home the Ensemble in a Drama Series award. It was well-deserved. That cast was a lightning bottle of talent. Jennifer Coolidge, naturally, won for Female Actor in a Drama Series.
Her speech was classic Coolidge—funny, rambling, and somehow deeply touching. She talked about her dad dragging her out of school to go to a Charlie Chaplin film festival, which she credited for her love of acting.
On the comedy side, Abbott Elementary won the ensemble award. It was a big deal because it was the first network show to win in nine years. In an era where streaming and prestige cable usually suck all the oxygen out of the room, Quinta Brunson’s show proved that "regular" TV still has some teeth.
Other notable TV wins:
- Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) for Male Actor in a Comedy Series. He was 32, making him one of the younger winners in that category.
- Jason Bateman (Ozark) for Male Actor in a Drama Series. A solid "thank you" for a final season.
- Sam Elliott (1883) pulled a bit of a surprise win for Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. The man is a legend, and his speech was pure, gravelly-voiced gratitude.
Why the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Still Matters
Kinda crazy to think about, but this specific ceremony was a huge predictor for the Oscars. Usually, there’s some deviation. Not this time. The momentum for the EEAAO cast became an unstoppable freight train after this night.
It also highlighted a shift in how we watch these things. By streaming on YouTube, the SAG-AFTRA guild reached over 1.5 million viewers across various social platforms. It felt less like a stuffy gala and more like a rowdy dinner party. There was no host! Just actors introducing other actors. It cut out the fluff and kept the focus on the craft.
The Sally Field Factor
You can't mention this night without Sally Field. She received the 58th Life Achievement Award, presented by Andrew Garfield. If you haven't seen her speech, go find it. She’s been in the game for nearly 60 years and her main takeaway? "Easy is overrated."
She talked about the struggle of the job. Not just the fame part, but the work. It was a sobering, beautiful contrast to the high-energy celebrations of the younger winners.
What You Can Learn From This Ceremony
If you’re an aspiring creator or just a film nerd, the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards offers a few real-world takeaways.
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First, perseverance isn't just a buzzword. Look at Ke Huy Quan or Jennifer Coolidge. Their careers were essentially "over" by Hollywood standards, and then they had the biggest years of their lives in their 50s and 60s.
Second, the "peer" vote is the one that counts. Critics might love one thing, but if you want to know what the industry actually respects, look at the SAG winners. They value the "actor’s actor"—the people who do the hard, weird, unglamorous work.
Lastly, diversity isn't a trend; it's the new baseline. The sweep by Asian actors wasn't a "token" moment. It was a recognition of some of the best performances of the decade. The landscape changed that night, and it’s not going back.
Next Steps for Movie Buffs
If you want to dive deeper into why this specific year was so weird and wonderful:
- Watch the "I Am an Actor" opening segments from the 2023 ceremony; they’re the soul of the show.
- Re-watch the Everything Everywhere All at Once ensemble acceptance speech to see James Hong (at 94 years old!) finally get his flowers on a major stage.
- Track the SAG winner list against the 2023 Oscar winners to see just how accurately the guild predicted the Academy.
The 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards wasn't just another stop on the road to the Oscars—it was the destination. It proved that sometimes, the underdogs don't just win; they take over the whole building.