The 2026 Actor Awards unfolded as an unforgettable evening at LA’s iconic Shrine Auditorium, where the glitz and glamour of Hollywood gathered to honor last year’s most exceptional performances.

Streaming live on Netflix, the event offered viewers a front-row seat to the star-studded affair, featuring appearances by industry heavyweights such as Michael B. Jordan, Harrison Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samuel L. Jackson, each taking their turn in the spotlight.

Returning for her third stint as host, Kristen Bell expertly guided the evening’s festivities, as a total of 15 accolades were distributed across both film and television categories.

Spanning nearly three hours, the ceremony was a treasure trove of memorable moments that quickly became social media sensations. Among them was Viola Davis’s exuberant cheer for Michael B. Jordan, who clinched the Outstanding Actor award, and Seth Rogen’s heartfelt homage to the beloved late Catherine O’Hara.

The night was filled with such captivating highlights, vividly capturing the essence of Hollywood’s finest and the spirit of celebration that defines the Actor Awards.

Viola Davis the Michael B. Jordan superfan

Sinners star Michael B. Jordan might have been shocked when he beat out Marty Supreme’s Timothee Chalamet in the competitive Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category.

But the award’s presenter, Oscar-winner Viola Davis, certainly was not.

The 60-year-old let out several joyous yells after opening the envelope and revealing Jordan as the winner.

Davis gave Jordan a huge hug backstage, along with Samuel L. Jackson, as he appeared shellshocked in the wake of the triumph.

Seth Rogen’s tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara 

During the ceremony, Seth Rogen stepped up to accept the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series on behalf of the late Catherine O’Hara, calling it a ‘very sad honor.’

O’Hara, who passed away in late January at the age of 71 from a pulmonary embolism caused by rectal cancer, delivered her final brilliant performance in The Studio, bringing her signature wit and charm to character Patty Leigh. 

Rogen delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing the actress as a performer who commanded respect and admiration from her peers, while the SAG-AFTRA audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

‘I know she would have been humbled to receive this award from her fellow performers, who she admired so much,’ he said, his voice breaking as the camera panned to a tearful Kathryn Hahn.

The emotional moment continued as attendees like Jenna Ortega, who starred alongside O’Hara in Beetlejuice and was nominated in the same category, dabbed at their eyes during the speech.

O’Hara made history as the first woman in the Screen Actors Guild to earn an individual trophy posthumously. 

She had also been honored as an ensemble member in The Studio and previously won in the category for the final season of Schitt’s Creek.

The case of Gwyneth Paltrow’s missing earring

Gwyneth Paltrow was among the best dressed stars on the red carpet at the 2026 Actor Awards.

But when the Oscar-winner joined the cast of Marty Supreme on stage during the three-hour ceremony, she suffered a rare fashion mishap.

One of Paltrow’s dangling earrings was noticeably missing from her left ear as she, Timothee Chalamet, Odessa A’zion and Tyler, The Creator addressed the star-studded crowd.

However, Paltrow appeared totally unbothered by her missing accessory and she didn’t let it stop her from posing for pictures with her Hollywood peers.  

The ladies of NBC’s The Office reunite

13 years after The Office went off the air, co-stars Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer and Ellie Kemper reunited on stage at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles.

The ladies presented the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award to Seth Rogen and the cast of the Apple TV+ series The Studio.

The Office aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013 on NBC.

Kaling, who was also a writer/producer on the show, famously played Kelly Kapoor, Kinsey played Angela Martin, Fischer played Pam Beesly and Kemper played Erin Hannon. 

Teyana Taylor’s daughter steals the show

Teyana Taylor may have been among the night’s most popular nominees but it was her daughter Rue Rose Shumpert who stole the spotlight at the 2026 Actor Awards.

The five-year-old, whom Taylor shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert, first went viral for playing stylist to her mom as she fixed her gown on the red carpet.

Rue Rose’s personality had even more opportunity to shine once the ceremony began.

Seated next to Taylor at the reserved table for the One Battle After Another cast, Rue Rose made a slew of hilarious faces as awards were handed out.

At one point, she appeared to let out a joyous scream that caught the immediate attention of Oscar-winner Emma Stone. 

Tearful Harrison Ford gives shout-out to longtime wife

Harrison Ford delivered an emotional speech while accepting the Life Achievement honor at Sunday’s ceremony.

Ford, 83, was presented the special award by close friend Woody Harrelson, who described the Star Wars alum as an ‘iconic actor’ that has ‘an indescribable energy he brings to everything he does.’

Ford gave a sweet tribute to his actress wife Calista Flockhart, 61, whom he tied the knot with in 2010. 

At one point, Ford expressed gratitude to his ‘extraordinary, beautiful wife’ as well as his family.

The camera quickly jumped to the Ally McBeal actress as she lovingly watched her husband on stage with tears in her eyes. 

‘Who have given me love and courage through all of it,’ he continued as the star-studded audience broke out into applause. 

Kristen Bell’s ‘cringe’ musical number

Actor Awards host Kristen Bell’s opening monologue left A-listers baffled as it quickly devolved into a ‘cringe’ musical number.

After marveling at the ceremony’s rebrand from the ‘SAG Awards’ to the ‘Actor Awards,’ the actress burst into a song about celebrity stage names.

She went on to expose Marilyn Monroe, Emma Stone, Vin Diesel and more for their fake monikers.

Accompanied by a trio of backup singers and a band, Bell sang, ‘I feel like the people in this room could be doing so much more with their stage names.

‘For instance, Emily Stone chose Emma Stone but don’t worry Emma you’re not alone. Like to Britt [Lower] or to Ted [Danson] or Billy Bob [Thornton] instead.’

The camera flashed to Stone, Lower, Danson, Bell’s former The Good Place co-star, and Thornton as their names were shouted out by Bell.

While both Stone and Lower offered polite smiles, Danson and Thornton looked on awkwardly from their seats as Bell called out more celebrity names at rapid fire. 

Hamnet director Chloe Zhao’s ‘confused’ reaction

Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs had the crowd in stitches as they did a sketch about Hamnet during the 2026 Actor Awards. 

The duo joked they played ‘two provincial nobles who were inbred’ in the emotionally-charged drama as they took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. 

While the bit got the crowd laughing, it may not have won over it’s director, Chloe Zhao – who was seen flashing an uneasy smile when the camera panned to her. 

The less than enthusiastic response did not go unnoticed by netizens. 

‘Chloe Zhao not finding it funny at all, I’m dying,’ one X user posted. 

‘Poor Chloe Zhao looked so confused by comedy,’ another posted. 

Hamnet won one of the three Actor Awards it was up for on Sunday evening – Jessie Buckley earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal as William Shakespeare’s wife Agnes. 

The film was also up for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Paul Mescal. 

Bowen Yang’s message from Antarctica 

Bowen Yang was a no-show at the 2026 Actor Awards on Sunday, but it wasn’t because of the usual excuses about scheduling conflicts.

Instead, the 35-year-old former Saturday Night Live star couldn’t make it because he was ‘stuck in Antarctica.’

Yang had been scheduled to present at the ceremony, but Kathryn Hahn, 52, revealed that she was his last-minute fill-in.

She was joined by Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie, who was fresh off hosting SNL for the first time the previous night.

The two strolled on stage early in the show to present the first award of the night for Female Actor in a Drama Series.

But before they got down to business, Hahn said she had a ‘confession’ to make.

‘First of all, I wasn’t even supposed to be presenting this award,’ Hahn admitted. ‘Right now, I am Bowen Yang. Because he is casually stuck in Antarctica.’

That normally would have sounded like an outlandish claim, but she and Storrie arrived with proof: a selfie Yang had snapped from Antarctica, which was projected on the massive screen behind them.

The comedian framed his photo to reveal the sea behind him and a picturesque glacier bridge in the distance.

He was bundled up against the cold in a thick red coat, and he had a black fleece hood under it that was pulled up around his face.

‘Yeah, no, that’s for real,’ Hahn added comically as Storrie pointed up toward the screen.

Hahn did share any details about why Yang was in Antarctica, but The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that he had travel issues when it was time to leave the continent.

Michael J Fox with his look-alike son

Michael J Fox was among the acting legends to attend Sunday night’s Actor Awards in LA.

And he brought along his look-alike son Sam, 36, as his date.

The ceremony traditionally opens with monologues from several of the assembled stars, who tell stories about their time in their profession and then close by stating their names and saying: ‘I am an actor.’ 

Fox, 64, who has received wide admiration for his dignified battle with Parkinson’s disease and advocacy for its sufferers, got such a massive round of applause when the camera alighted on him that he had to pause the start of his speech.

He proceeded to tell a story about how his acting career resulted in his introduction to his wife and Family Ties co-star Tracy Pollan, with whom he has four children.

The Back to the Future legend then pointed to Sam, who was seated next to him, and quipped: ‘By the way, he’s not an actor, he’s just my date.’

He added a heartwarming extra few words to the traditional closer of the monologue, saying: ‘I’m Michael J. Fox and a dad, and I’m an actor.’

Michael B. Jordan pulled off the upset of awards season as he beat Timothee Chalamet for the top acting prize at the Actor Awards 2026, formally known as the SAG Awards, on Sunday night.

That was not the only massive surprise for the talented star as his film, Sinners, also shocked as it earned top prize Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the event which took place at The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

The 39-year-old star was left in tears as he earned the win in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

He beat out Chalamet who starred in Marty Supreme in a field which also included: Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon, and Jesse Plemons – Bugonia.

Chalamet, 30, – who previously won at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards – was a good sport as he stood up and applauded Jordan alongside his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, 53.

When his name was announced, it was his mother Donna Jordan who had a shocked look on her face as she joyfully grabbed his shoulders.

During his speech, Jordan recognized his mother in a very sweet way as he said: ‘Mom, thank you for driving me back and forth to New York, when we didn’t have enough money to go through the Holland Tunnel.’

The Ryan Coogler written and directed horror flick later earned the top ensemble acting prize over Frankenstein (Netflix), Hamnet (Focus Features), Marty Supreme (A24), and One Battle After Another (Warner Bros).

Delroy Lindo spoke out on behalf of the cast as they earned Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture just one week after he and Jordan were presenting at the BAFTAs last weekend when a guest with Tourette’s bellowed the word ‘n*****’ at them.

John Davidson, whose life story inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, shouted the expletive while the black actors presented the first prize of the night at the Royal Festive Hall in London this past Sunday.

Lindo later hit out at BAFTA for failing to address the incident with him following the ceremony, saying he wished ‘someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.’

Jessie Buckley was in disbelief as she triumphed over the likes of Kate Hudson and Emma Stone to earn the other top acting prize.

The 36-year-old Irish actress was emotional as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her work in Hamnet.

The star-studded field included the aforementioned Hudson for Song Sung Blue and Stone for Bugonia along with Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another.

The Chloé Zhao-directed and written film takes place after Agnes and William Shakespeare (Buckley and Paul Mescal) lose their son Hamnet to the plague and grapple with grief in 16th-century England, based on the novel of the same name.

Amy Madigan was honored in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role category for her work in Weapons.

The 75-year-old actress won over: Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme, Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good, Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners, and Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another.

Sean Penn was not in attendance but he did win Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another.

The 65-year-old acting legend won over Miles Caton – Sinners, Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein, and Paul Mescal – Hamnet.

Meanwhile, on the television side, Catherine O’Hara earned a posthumous honor just one month after her tragic death.

The talented Canadian-American actress passed away at 71 on January 30 from a blood clot in her lungs.

O’Hara earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Series for her work in The Studio.

In The Studio, O’Hara portrayed Patty Leigh who was the former studio head and mentor of Seth Rogen’s character.

The Apple TV+ series was a massive winner as they swept the comedy categories with a win for Rogen and another for the entire cast.

Rogen, 43, earned Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.

The Studio also won the top prize of Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series over Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Bear (FX/Hulu), Hacks (HBO Max), and Only Murders In The Building (Hulu).

On the drama television side, it was The Pitt that was the massive winner as Noah Wyle earned a massive honor while the entire cast earned the top honor.

The 54-year-old actor earned Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for the HBO show.

The Pitt also earned Outstanding performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series over: The Diplomat (Netflix), Landman (Paramount+), Severance (Apple TV), and The White Lotus (HBO).

The drama series is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling.

Meanwhile, Keri Russell was the first winner at the gala event as she earned the win in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for their work in Netflix’s The Diplomat.

She beat out an impressive field including favorite Rhea Seehorn who has earned several awards for her work in Pluribus.

Also nominated in the category were: Britt Lower – Severance, Parker Posey – The White Lotus , and Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus.

In the Diplomat, Russell portrays Katherine ‘Kate’ Wyler who is the newly appointed US Ambassador to the UK after an international crisis despite being not suited for the role as the position makes tectonic shifts for her marriage and political future.

Michelle Williams was another big winner as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.

The 45-year-old American actress was recognized for her work in FX series Dying For Sex.

Meanwhile, Owen Cooper earned a massive win at just 16-years-old for his role in Adolescence.

The young actor was not in attendance to accept the prize which was awarded in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.