The SAG Awards felt heavy this year — and predictably politically charged. Taking place the same weekend of nationwide protests over President Trump’s travel ban on Muslims, the celebs were clearly affected, dedicating their red carpet responses and acceptance speeches to addressing the controversial ban — celebs including Dev Patel and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. And if they weren’t addressing the ban it directly, they did what they could, with their words, to tell viewers: I feel you, I see you, I support your efforts and we must stick together.
Ashton Kutcher
Presenter
“Everyone in airports that belong in my America. You are the part of the fabric of who we are, and we love you and we welcome you.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Veep“Whether the Russians did or not hack the voting of tonight’s SAG Awards, I look out at the million and a half people in this room, and I will say this award is legitimate and I won. I won. The winner is me. Landslide.”
Viola Davis
Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Fences“What August [Wilson] did so beautifully is he honored the average man, who happened to be a man of color. And sometimes we don’t have to shake the world and move the world and create anything that is going to be in the history book. The fact that we breathed and lived a life and was a god to our children, just that, means that we have a story and it deserves to be told. We deserve to be in the canon of any — in the center of any narrative that’s written out there. And that’s what August did. He elevated my father, my mother, my uncles who had eighth- and fifth-grade educations, and he just encapsulated them in history.”
William H. Macy
Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Shameless“I would like to go against the stream this evening and thank President Trump for making Frank Gallagher seem so normal.”
‘Orange Is the New Black’
Ensemble in a Comedy Series“We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here from places like Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rica, Columbia, Ireland; and we know it’s going to be up to us and all of you to keep telling stories that show what unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.” — Taylor Schilling
Mahershala Ali
Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Moonlight“When we get caught up in the minutiae and the details that make us all different, I think there’s two ways of seeing that. There’s the opportunity to see the texture of that person, the characteristics that make them unique, and then there’s an opportunity to go to war about it and say that this person is different from me, I don’t like you, let’s battle.”
Sarah Paulson
Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story“Any money you have to spare, please donate to the ACLU. It’s a vital organization that relies on our support.”
Bryan Cranston
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for All the Way
“I’m often asked how would Lyndon Johnson think about Donald Trump, and I honestly feel that 36 would put his arm around 45 and earnestly wish him success. He would also whisper in his ear as a form of encouragement: ‘Just don’t piss in the soup that all of us gotta eat.'”
Lily Tomlin
Life Achievement:“Somehow I learned how to turn my flaws into spiritual lessons. And Oprah really helped.”
John Lithgow
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for The Crown
“I never would have cast myself as Winston Churchill.”
Claire Foy
Female Actor in a Drama Series for The Crown“One actor in particular I’m going to really embarrass: Matt Smith. You’re not only a really spontaneous, exciting, incredibly talented actor, but you’re also my friend.”
‘Stranger Things’
Ensemble in a Drama Series:“In light of all that is going on in the world today, it is difficult to celebrate the already-celebrated Stranger Things. But this award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe — like me — that great acting can change the world, is a call-to-arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper and through our art, to battle against fear, self-centeredness and the exclusivity of a predominantly narcissistic culture and through our craft to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone. We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive.
“Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of Stranger Things, we 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies. We will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no home. We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And when we are at a loss amidst the hypocrisy and casual violence of certain individuals and institutions, we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy what we have envisioned for ourselves and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart and with joy. We thank you for this responsibility!” — David Harbour
Emma Stone
Female Actor in a Leading Role for La La Land“We’re in a really tricky time in the world and in our country, and things are very inexcusable and need action. I’m honored to be part of a community that wants to reflect society.”
Denzel Washington
Male Actor in a Leading Role for Fences“I’m a God-fearing man, and I’m supposed to have faith, but I didn’t have faith.”
‘Hidden Figures’
Cast in a Motion Picture“This film is about unity. The shoulders of the women we stand on are three American heroes: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These women did not complain about the problems. They focused on solutions. Therefore, these brave women put men into space.
“This story is of unity. This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside.” — Taraji P. Henson
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