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28 of the Most Memorable SAG Awards Moments of All Time

February 23, 2025 | by ltcinsuranceshopper

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The Screen Actors Guild Awards have given us moments that made us laugh, cry and cheer from our couches.

Since its inaugural show on Feb. 25, 1995, the ceremony has delivered unforgettable speeches, surprising wins and viral reactions in Hollywood history. From Everything Everywhere All at Once’s record-breaking sweep and Parasite’s powerful standing ovation to Barbra Streisand’s tearjerking Lifetime Achievement Award speech, the SAG Awards have consistently produced pop culture gems.

Whether it’s an unexpected kiss, a bold political statement or a long-overdue win (looking at you, Leonardo DiCaprio!), these highlights celebrate the magic of cinema and the people who bring the stories we love to life. Let’s revisit 28 SAG Awards moments we’ll always remember.

Barbra Streisand Reduces Hollywood to Tears with SAG Lifetime Achievement Award Speech

Barbra Streisand accepts the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award onstage at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Feb. 24, 2024.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty 


Streisand received a standing ovation as she accepted the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 SAG Awards, bringing stars like Anne Hathaway and Emma Stone to tears.

Reflecting on her enduring career, she recalled falling in love with film as a Brooklyn teen despite not resembling the women she often saw on screen.

“My mother said, ‘You better learn to type,’ but I didn’t listen,” she joked. “And somehow, someway — thank you, God — it all came true.”

Winona Ryder Breaks the Internet

The cast of ‘Stranger Things’ accepts best ensemble in a drama series at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Kevork Djansezian/WireImage

Winona Ryder went viral for her expressive reactions during her Stranger Things costar David Harbour’s acceptance speech at the 2017 SAG Awards.

As one user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed, “Winona Ryder deserves a SAG award for her emotional journey on stage just now.”

Tina Fey Shares Her Spotlight

Tina Fey accepts outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series for ’30 Rock’ at the 19th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 27, 2013.

Mark Davis/Getty Images


Genuinely shocked to win outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series for 30 Rock at the 2013 SAG Awards, Tina Fey thanked her longtime friend Amy Poehler by jokingly saying she “stole so many of her moves” and knew her back when she “gave birth to Lena Dunham.”

Simon Helberg Takes a Stand

Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock

The Big Bang Theory‘s Simon Helberg and his wife, Jocelyn Towne, used the 2017 SAG Awards red carpet to make a statement against President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning all refugees from entering the U.S.

Morgan Freeman Calls Out the Crowd

Morgan Freeman accepts the Life Achievement Award at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Leave it to Morgan Freeman to sport a baseball hat during his 2018 Life Achievement Award acceptance speech. The actor also called out an audience member for using their phone during his speech.

Mahershala Ali Celebrates First SAG Award with Poignant Speech

Mahershala Ali accepts outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for ‘Moonlight’ at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In 2017, Moonlight actor Mahershala Ali won outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role and used his speech to reflect on his experience as a Muslim actor amid then-President Trump’s travel ban, which affected several Muslim-majority countries.

Carrie Fisher Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Mother Debbie Reynolds

Debbie Reynolds (left) accepts the Life Achievement Award from Carrie Fisher at the 21st SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 25, 2015.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

“I’m very close to this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree,” Carrie Fisher joked at the 2015 SAG Awards before presenting the honor to her mother, Debbie Reynolds.

Looking back, the moment became even more poignant, as both women died just one day apart the following year.

Brie Larson and Lupita Nyong’o Talk Time’s Up

Brie Larson (left) and Lupita Nyong’o speak onstage at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images


Before taking the stage as presenters in 2018, Brie Larson and Lupita Nyong’o made a major announcement: The Screen Actors Guild and the Time’s Up organization had created a new code of conduct to ensure the safety of actors on set.

A Big Win for Orange Is the New Black

Taylor Schilling (center) and the cast and creators of ‘Orange Is the New Black’ accept best ensemble in a comedy series at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Kevork Djansezian/WireImage

The 2017 SAG Awards marked a huge milestone for the cast of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black when they won outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series. Taylor Schilling, who played Piper Chapman on the series, also used the moment to address then-President Trump’s executive order restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority nations.

“We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here,” she said. “We know that it’s going to be up to us — and all of you, too — to keep telling stories that show: What unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Accepts Award in PJs

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ 2018 SAG Award acceptance speech on Twitter.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus/Twitter

While undergoing cancer treatment, Julia Louis-Dreyfus kept her spirits high to accept her 2018 SAG Awards statuettes. The Veep actress had won outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series (with her castmates) and outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series, sharing a lighthearted thank-you speech in a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) that concluded with, “How was the chicken?”

Parasite Cast Receives Historic Standing Ovation

The cast of ‘Parasite’ introduces their film at the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Jan. 19, 2020.

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty


The cast of the 2019 acclaimed South Korean film Parasite was met with a two-minute standing ovation as Song Kang-ho, Park So-dam, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Jeong-eun and Lee Sun-kyun took the stage at the 2020 SAG Awards. Even though no individual cast member was nominated for a statuette that evening, the ensemble was up for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture — becoming the first Korean film to receive such recognition.

Nicole Kidman Gets Real About Aging in Hollywood

Nicole Kidman accepts outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or limited series for ‘Big Little Lies’ at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Winter/Getty

In 2018, Nicole Kidman, then 50, celebrated her SAG Award win for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or limited series for Big Little Lies, saying, “How wonderful it is that our careers today can go beyond 40 years old.”

Leonardo DiCaprio Finally Wins!

Leonardo DiCaprio accepts outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for ‘The Revenant’ at the 22nd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 30, 2016.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

After eight previous nominations, DiCaprio won his very first SAG Award in 2016 for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for 2015’s The Revenant.

The Cast of Hidden Figures Stands Out

From left: Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe and Taraji P. Henson accept outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for ‘Hidden Figures’ at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Kevin Winter/Getty

Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe and Taraji P. Henson represented the cast of 2016’s Hidden Figures to accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the 2017 SAG Awards.

Their impassioned speech honored the real-life women behind the film — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — closing with the powerful statement, “They are hidden figures no more!”

Alison Brie Speaks Out on Embattled James Franco

Dave Franco and Alison Brie pose at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Mazur/Getty

Alison Brie, sister-in-law of James Franco and wife of Dave Franco, gave a statement on the 2018 SAG Awards carpet about her brother-in-law, who was facing accusations of sexual misconduct by five women.

“It remains vital that anyone who feels victimized should and does have the right to speak out and come forward,” Brie told E! News, per the Los Angeles Times. “I obviously support my family, and not everything that’s been reported is fully accurate, so I think we’re waiting to get all the information.”

Lily Tomlin Slays Her SAG Awards Speech

Lily Tomlin accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Esteemed actress Lily Tomlin brought the house down with her unforgettable 2017 SAG Lifetime Achievement Award speech, offering hilarious and heartfelt advice like, “Don’t leave the house when you’re drunk,” and “Watching Oprah really helps turn your flaws into spiritual lessons.”

Dolly Parton Gets the Crowd on Its Feet

Dolly Parton speaks onstage at the 23rd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 29, 2017.
Kevin Winter/Getty

From walking onstage, receiving a standing ovation and slipping in a few jokes about her famous curves, Dolly Parton stole the show with her signature sweet-and-sassy humor before she presented Tomlin with the 2017 SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sterling K. Brown Wins Big

Sterling K. Brown accepts outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series for ‘This Is Us’ at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Winter/Getty

The 2018 SAG Awards was a historic night, as This Is Us actor Sterling K. Brown became the first Black actor to win outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series.

James Hong Brings the House Down as Everything Everywhere All at Once Wins Big

From left: Brian Le, James Hong, Andy Le and Michelle Yeoh onstage at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza in L.A. on Feb. 26, 2023.

Kevin Winter/Getty


After taking home outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, the cast of Everything Everywhere All at Once dedicated their win to then-94-year-old costar James Hong, who delivered a rousing speech on Hollywood’s changing landscape in the 70 years since his first film with Clark Gable.

“Back in those days, I have to tell you that the leading role was played by these guys with eyes taped up like this, and they talk like this because the producer said the Asians were not good enough and they are not box office. But look at us now, huh?” he said as the crowd cheered.

The historic night also saw Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis win individual acting awards, with the former actress becoming the first Asian woman to win outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role.

Women in the #MeToo Movement Say Time’s Up

Marisa Tomei (left) and Rosanna Arquette speak onstage at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Winter/Getty

Before presenting the statuette for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or limited series at the 2018 SAG Awards, Marisa Tomei and Rosanna Arquette thanked the women who used their voices to shed light on the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. Arquette was one of the first women to speak out against Harvey Weinstein in 2017.

Kristen Bell Gets Shady as First SAG Awards Host

Host Kristen Bell onstage at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Kristen Bell, the first-ever host of the SAG Awards in 2018, used her opening monologue to poke fun at then-first lady Melania Trump and her anti-cyberbullying initiative.

“I have yet to see any progress made on that problem — and I’m looking at you, Tony Hale,” quipped Bell, pointing at the Veep actor in the crowd. “You’re a bully. You guys, he’s savage on Twitter. I’m serious.”

Viola Davis Continues Her Winning Streak

Viola Davis accepts female actor in a drama series for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ at the 22nd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 30, 2016.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In 2017, Viola Davis won her fifth SAG Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for 2016’s Fences, becoming the first Black actress to achieve five wins.

Hollywood Gives Rita Moreno a Standing Ovation

Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman onstage at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The 2018 SAG Awards audience paid respect where respect was due when EGOT winner Rita Moreno appeared onstage to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Freeman.

Kate and Goldie Present Together

Goldie Hawn (left) and Kate Hudson speaking onstage at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

It’s always a special moment when mother-daughter duo Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson get together, like when they teamed up in 2018 to present the SAG Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series to the cast of This Is Us.

Idris Elba Makes History

Idris Elba poses in the press room with his SAG Awards for ‘Beasts of No Nation’ and ‘Luther’ at the 22nd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 30, 2016.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images

In 2016, Idris Elba became the first male actor to win two individual SAG statuettes in one night. That evening, he was awarded outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for 2015’s Beasts of No Nation and outstanding performance by a male actor in a miniseries or television movie for Luther.

The Opening Gets Better

Allison Janney at the 24th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 21, 2018; Tracee Ellis Ross at the 24th SAG Awards; Millie Bobby Brown at the 24th SAG Awards; Kristen Bell at the 24th SAG Awards.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty (2); Kevork Djansezian/Getty

The 2018 SAG Awards kicked off with an all-women opening that included Allison Janney, Tracee Ellis Ross, Millie Bobby Brown and Bell.

Carol Burnett Brings the Tears

Carol Burnett accepts the Life Achievement Award at the 22nd SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 30, 2016.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Comedy icon Carol Burnett left the 2016 SAG Awards audience in tears when she closed out her Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech with a line from The Carol Burnett Show‘s theme song, “I’m so glad we had this time together.”

Betty White Slips Secrets

Sandra Bullock (right) presents Betty White with the Life Achievement Award at the 16th SAG Awards in L.A. on Jan. 23, 2010.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

At 88 years old, Betty White used her 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech to joke about sleeping with some of the actors in the audience.



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