January 31st 2011 Posted in
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Last night the Screen Actors Guild Awards were handed out at The Shrine Auditorium here in Los Angeles, CA in the midst of awards season and, as you might expect, the same sort of folks who have been winning awards at previous award shows continued their streak last night. But, while it seemed like The Social Network was the film to beat for Best Picture, it’s becoming a bit more evident that The King’s Speech has taken the front-running position. Even still, films like Black Swan and The Fighter were honored as well.
“The King’s Speech” won the best-actor trophy Sunday for Colin Firth and a second honor for its overall cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The two prizes capped a weeklong surge of Hollywood honors for the British monarchy saga, which is building momentum for the Feb. 27 Academy Awards, where the Facebook drama “The Social Network” previously had looked like the favorite. Natalie Portman earned the best-actress award at the Screen Actors ceremony for “Black Swan,” while “The Fighter” co-stars Christian Bale and Melissa Leo swept the supporting-acting honors, boosting their own prospects come Oscar night. “The King’s Speech” leads Oscar contenders with 12 nominations, among them best picture and actor for Firth, who has been the awards favorite virtually since the film premiered at festivals half a year ago. “Until today, I would say probably, if ever I felt that I had a trophy which has told me that something’s really happening for me, it was my SAG card,” said Firth, who plays Queen Elizabeth’s dad, George VI, as he takes the throne in the 1930s while struggling to overcome a debilitating stammer. “Growing up in England, it’s not something you expect to see in your wallet, really,” Firth continued. “And so it has this glow, and I used to flash it around, hoping it would get me female attention, entry into nightclubs and top-level government departments. It didn’t.” Many winners had gushing words for the protection and fellowship their union offers. “I’ve been working since I was 11 years old, and SAG has taken care of me,” said Portman, who won for her role as a ballerina losing her grip on reality. “They made sure I wasn’t working too long and made sure I got an education while I was working.” Bale is a strong favorite for the supporting-actor Oscar as real-life fighter Dicky Eklund, whose career unraveled amid drugs and crime. Eklund briefly joined Bale on stage, the actor telling him he’s “a real gentleman” … Leo, who plays the domineering matriarch of Eklund and half brother Micky Ward’s boxing family in “The Fighter,” was speechless for a long moment after taking the stage … Betty White, who is having her own career resurgence in her 80s, won for TV comedy actress for “Hot in Cleveland.” “I must say this is the biggest surprise I’ve ever had in this business. There wasn’t a prayer. I am so lucky to be … at 89, to be working …,” White said, pausing as the crowd interrupted her with effusive applause. “You didn’t applaud when I turned 40.” Alec Baldwin won his fifth-straight guild award for best actor in a comedy series for “30 Rock.” “I don’t know what to say. This is ridiculous. I’m so happy,” Baldwin said. “We’ve had a great year with the show.” “Modern Family” won for overall cast performance in a TV comedy. Steve Buscemi of “Boardwalk Empire” and Julianna Margulies of “The Good Wife” won as best actors in a TV drama. “Boardwalk Empire,” a Prohibition-era gangster series, also won for overall TV drama cast performance … “The Social Network,” chronicling the rise of Facebook, had been the early Oscar favorite for best-picture, named the year’s top drama by key critics groups and the Golden Globes. But “The King’s Speech” has surged forward in the past week, pulling upset wins at the Directors Guild and Producers Guild awards and leading the Oscar field at last Tuesday’s nominations. “The Social Network” had two SAG nominations but came away empty-handed.
Here are some photos of the winners and their trophies last night:
I have to say, congrats to everyone for winning … but big props to Modern Family for fending off Glee as the Best Ensemble on TV. I thought for sure Glee would have a lock on the top prize so that was a nice surprise. I believe last night’s SAG Awards is the last of the film awards until the big Academy Awards next month. It will be very interesting to see which of these winners will go on to win Oscars. Click HERE for a full list of SAG Award winners … did your faves walk away with trophies last night? Did you watch/enjoy the show?
[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]
Source: Trent
As much as I LOVE NPH, David and the twins … I’m really most excited about posting the photos of Emma and Josh. Hahahahaha 
