10th Screen Actors Guild Awards
The 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards, presented by the Screen Actors Guild to honor outstanding performances in film and primetime television for the eligibility year 2003, took place on February 22, 2004, at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, California.[1] The event marked the 10th anniversary of the SAG Awards and the 70th anniversary of the Guild itself, drawing over 1,100 actors and industry notables for a celebration that included a retrospective segment introduced by Sean Hayes.[1] In the film categories, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, while individual honors went to Johnny Depp for his leading role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Charlize Theron for her portrayal in Monster, Tim Robbins in a supporting role for Mystic River, and Renée Zellweger for her supporting performance in Cold Mountain.[2] On the television side, HBO's Angels in America dominated the miniseries categories with wins for Al Pacino as leading actor and Meryl Streep as leading actress, the latter delivering a notable rhyming acceptance speech; other TV victors included Kiefer Sutherland for 24, Frances Conroy for Six Feet Under, Tony Shalhoub for Monk, Megan Mullally for Will & Grace, and ensemble awards for Six Feet Under (drama) and Sex and the City (comedy).[2] The ceremony also bestowed the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award upon veteran actor Karl Malden, presented by Michael Douglas, recognizing his seven-decade career and humanitarian efforts.[1] A post-awards gala, hosted by People magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, featured a performance by Gavin DeGraw and an introduction by Charlize Theron, supporting the SAG Foundation and marking People's 30th anniversary.[1]Ceremony
Date, venue, and production
The 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony was held on February 22, 2004, at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, California, marking the 10th anniversary of the awards and the 70th anniversary of the Screen Actors Guild itself.[3] The event drew over 1,100 actors and industry notables, honoring outstanding performances in motion pictures and primetime television from the 2003 eligibility period.[3][4] Produced by the Screen Actors Guild, the ceremony was directed by Ron de Moraes and written by Stephen Pouliot, featuring no single host but a roster of celebrity presenters such as Michael Douglas, Zach Braff, and Amber Tamblyn to deliver the awards.[5][6] Production elements emphasized the milestone with a celebration of the Actor statuette's 10th year, including set and décor inspired by the glamour of 1930s art deco movie palaces.[3] Immediately following the ceremony, PEOPLE magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation hosted the official post-awards gala for the eighth consecutive year, recognizing actors' charitable contributions through the evening's festivities.[3]Nominations announcement
The nominations for the 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced on January 15, 2004, at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.[7] The event was hosted by actors Andie MacDowell, Melissa Gilbert, and Mark Harmon, who revealed the nominees live for the 13 competitive categories honoring outstanding performances in film and television from 2003.[8] The nomination process was overseen by the Screen Actors Guild's national board and involved two specialized nominating committees—one for motion pictures and one for television—comprising approximately 2,000 randomly selected members from the guild's over 100,000 eligible performers. These committees reviewed submitted tapes and ballots to select five nominees per category, focusing on individual achievements as well as unique ensemble awards for casts in film, drama series, and comedy series.[9] Nominations were determined solely by these committee votes, with all SAG members in good standing eligible to participate in the selection pool for committee assignment. The final winners, to be revealed at the ceremony on February 22, 2004, would be chosen by first-place votes from the full membership via a preferential runoff system.[10] Among the highlights, the HBO miniseries Angels in America earned the most nominations with six, including three in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie category (Al Pacino, Jeffrey Wright, Justin Kirk) and three in the female counterpart (Meryl Streep, Mary-Louise Parker, Emma Thompson).[11] It tied in total nods with the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which also received six, primarily in comedy series categories. Other notable multiple nominees included The West Wing and Will & Grace with five each in television fields, while in film, Mystic River and The Station Agent led with four apiece, followed by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, In America, and Seabiscuit with three each.[12]Special honors
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
The Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, established in 1962 to honor outstanding achievement in fostering the ideals of the acting profession, was presented to its 40th recipient, Karl Malden, at the 10th annual ceremony; this 2003 award recognized his enduring contributions to acting and the guild.[13][14] Malden, a veteran actor whose career spanned over 60 years from the 1930s onward, was recognized for his enduring contributions to film, stage, and television, including iconic supporting roles as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Father Barry in On the Waterfront (1954).[15][16] His selection also highlighted his humanitarian accomplishments and long-standing commitment to actors' rights through involvement with the guild.[14][16] During the February 22, 2004, ceremony at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, the award was presented by Michael Douglas, Malden's former co-star on the television series The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977).[17][2] Douglas praised Malden's "extraordinary talent and enormous heart" in his introduction.[2] In his acceptance speech, the 91-year-old Malden expressed deep emotion, thanking his peers for their camaraderie and support throughout his career, emphasizing the profound bonds within the acting community.[2] The award, selected annually by SAG's national board, underscores recipients' lasting impact on the profession beyond competitive accolades.[18]In Memoriam
The In Memoriam segment at the 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards served as an annual tribute to actors and performers who had died during the eligibility period, primarily throughout 2003, honoring their enduring contributions to film and television. Presented by Meryl Streep, the segment aired during the live broadcast on TNT from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles on February 22, 2004, and consisted of a poignant montage featuring archival clips, photographs, and voiceovers set to somber music.[19][5] This tradition, established in earlier SAG ceremonies since the awards' inception in 1995, provided a collective remembrance amid a year marked by significant losses in the entertainment industry, emphasizing legacies in acting across stage, screen, and broadcasting. The 2004 edition highlighted passings during 2003 and early 2004, focusing on diverse talents whose work shaped American culture, from classic Hollywood icons to modern performers. Among the prominent honorees was Katharine Hepburn, who died on June 29, 2003, at age 96 after a trailblazing career that earned her four Academy Awards for Best Actress, more than any other performer. Bob Hope, a comedic legend whose entertainment career spanned seven decades including vaudeville, radio, film, and USO tours, passed away on July 27, 2003, at age 100. Dancer, actor, and choreographer Gregory Hines, known for revitalizing tap dance in films like Tap and Broadway productions such as Eubie!, died of liver cancer on August 9, 2003, at age 57. Other notable inclusions encompassed Gregory Peck, who succumbed to pneumonia on June 12, 2003, at 87 after iconic roles in To Kill a Mockingbird and other classics; Fred Rogers, the beloved television host who died on February 27, 2003, at 74; and John Ritter, who passed suddenly on September 11, 2003, at 54, remembered for his comedic work in Three's Company. Additional figures such as Hume Cronyn, Charles Bronson, Ann Miller, Art Carney, Uta Hagen, and performers like Johnny Cash were also featured, representing a broad spectrum of theatrical and cinematic achievements.[20][21][22][23][19]Winners and nominees
Film
The film categories at the 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards honored outstanding performances in motion pictures released during 2003, with nominations and winners determined by ballots cast by SAG members who viewed eligible films.[24] The awards emphasized both individual achievements and collective ensemble work, reflecting the guild's focus on acting excellence in theatrical releases.[25]Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
This category recognized the collaborative efforts of actors in a single film, with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King emerging as the winner for its sprawling ensemble portrayal of characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy conclusion. The film's cast, including Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, John Rhys-Davies as Gimli, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Liv Tyler as Arwen, Sean Bean as Boromir, Billy Boyd as Pippin, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, Bernard Hill as Théoden, Miranda Otto as Éowyn, Karl Urban as Éomer, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, David Wenham as Faramir, and Andy Serkis as Gollum, delivered a unified performance that captured the saga's themes of camaraderie and heroism.[25][26] The victory underscored the ensemble's chemistry, contributing to the film's status as an Oscar frontrunner for Best Picture later that year.[27] Other nominees included:| Film | Key Ensemble Members and Roles |
|---|---|
| In America | Paddy Considine (Johnny), Samantha Morton (Sarah), Djimon Hounsou (Mateo), Sarah Bolger (Christy), Emma Bolger (Ariel) |
| Mystic River | Sean Penn (Jimmy Markum), Tim Robbins (Dave Boyle), Kevin Bacon (Sean Devine), Laurence Fishburne (Whitey Powers), Marcia Gay Harden (Celeste Boyle), Laura Linney (Annabeth Markum) |
| Seabiscuit | Tobey Maguire (Red Pollard), Jeff Bridges (Charles Howard), Chris Cooper (Tom Smith), Elizabeth Banks (Marcela Howard), Gary Stevens (George Woolf) |
| The Station Agent | Peter Dinklage (Finbar McBride), Patricia Clarkson (Olivia Harris), Bobby Cannavale (Joe Oramas), Raven Goodwin (Cleo) |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Johnny Depp won for his charismatic and eccentric portrayal of the pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a performance that blended humor and vulnerability to revitalize the swashbuckler genre.[25][26] This upset victory over Oscar favorite Sean Penn marked a rare divergence between SAG and Academy voters, showcasing the guild's appreciation for Depp's versatile comedic timing.[28] Nominees:| Actor | Role and Film |
|---|---|
| Johnny Depp (Winner) | Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl |
| Peter Dinklage | Finbar "Fin" McBride, The Station Agent |
| Ben Kingsley | Colonel Massoud Behrani, House of Sand and Fog |
| Bill Murray | Bob Harris, Lost in Translation |
| Sean Penn | Jimmy Markum, Mystic River |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Charlize Theron received the award for her transformative depiction of real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, a role that required extensive physical and emotional immersion, dramatically elevating her career from model-turned-actress to acclaimed dramatic performer.[25][26] Theron's win aligned closely with Oscar predictions, affirming the performance's impact as a biopic benchmark.[29] Nominees:| Actress | Role and Film |
|---|---|
| Charlize Theron (Winner) | Aileen Wuornos, Monster |
| Patricia Clarkson | Olivia Harris, The Station Agent |
| Diane Keaton | Erica Barry, Something's Gotta Give |
| Naomi Watts | Christina Peck, 21 Grams |
| Evan Rachel Wood | Tracy Freeland, Thirteen |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Tim Robbins earned the honor for his nuanced portrayal of the traumatized Dave Boyle in Mystic River, capturing the character's inner turmoil and contributing to the film's exploration of grief and vengeance.[25][26] The win mirrored strong Oscar momentum for Robbins and reinforced SAG's predictive power in this category.[30] Nominees:| Actor | Role and Film |
|---|---|
| Tim Robbins (Winner) | Dave Boyle, Mystic River |
| Alec Baldwin | Shelly Kaplow, The Cooler |
| Chris Cooper | Tom Smith, Seabiscuit |
| Benicio del Toro | Jack Jordan, 21 Grams |
| Ken Watanabe | Katsumoto Moritsugu, The Last Samurai |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Renée Zellweger won for her heartfelt performance as Ruby Thewes in Cold Mountain, embodying resilience and romance in the Civil War-era drama.[25][26] This accolade aligned with her subsequent Oscar recognition, highlighting Zellweger's ability to infuse historical roles with emotional depth.[30] Nominees:| Actress | Role and Film |
|---|---|
| Renée Zellweger (Winner) | Ruby Thewes, Cold Mountain |
| Maria Bello | Gina, The Cooler |
| Patricia Clarkson | Joyce, Pieces of April |
| Keisha Castle-Hughes | Paikea "Pai" Apirana, Whale Rider |
| Holly Hunter | Olivia Davenport, Thirteen |
Television
The television categories of the 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards recognized outstanding ensemble and individual performances in primetime series and limited programs aired during 2003, with SAG-AFTRA members voting based on the unique collaborative dynamics of television acting.[32] These awards highlighted both ongoing serialized narratives in drama and comedy, as well as standalone miniseries and TV movies, underscoring the guild's focus on ensemble cohesion alongside standout character portrayals. A total of eight television categories were presented, drawing from over 100,000 eligible performances reviewed by committees of randomly selected union members.[25]Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
This category celebrated the collective work of casts in dramatic series, emphasizing how group chemistry drives narrative depth. The winner was the cast of Six Feet Under (HBO), praised for their portrayal of a dysfunctional family's emotional evolution in the show's final season.[33] Nominees included strong ensembles from procedural and political dramas, reflecting the diversity of 2003's television landscape.| Nominees | Show (Network) |
|---|---|
| Cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | CBS |
| Cast of Law & Order | NBC |
| Cast of Six Feet Under (Winner) | HBO |
| Cast of The West Wing | NBC |
| Cast of Without a Trace | CBS |
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Recognizing lighthearted group dynamics, the award went to the cast of Sex and the City (HBO) for their final season's blend of wit and camaraderie among the four leads.[19] This win marked a fitting capstone for the series, which earned multiple nods across categories.| Nominees | Show (Network) |
|---|---|
| Cast of Everybody Loves Raymond | CBS |
| Cast of Frasier | NBC |
| Cast of Friends | NBC |
| Cast of Sex and the City (Winner) | HBO |
| Cast of Will & Grace | NBC |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Kiefer Sutherland won for his intense portrayal of counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer in 24 (Fox), capturing the high-stakes tension of real-time storytelling that defined the series' innovative format.[19] His victory highlighted SAG's appreciation for physically and emotionally demanding roles in serialized drama.| Nominees | Role | Show (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Krause | Nate Fisher | Six Feet Under (HBO) |
| Anthony LaPaglia | Jack Malone | Without a Trace (CBS) |
| Martin Sheen | President Josiah Bartlet | The West Wing (NBC) |
| Kiefer Sutherland (Winner) | Jack Bauer | 24 (Fox) |
| Treat Williams | Dr. Andrew Brown | Everwood (The WB) |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Frances Conroy received the award for her nuanced depiction of matriarch Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under (HBO), a role that explored grief and resilience amid family turmoil.[19] This win, paired with the ensemble honor, affirmed the show's impact on television drama.| Nominees | Role | Show (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Garner | Sydney Bristow | Alias (ABC) |
| Tyne Daly | Maxine Boudreau | Judging Amy (CBS) |
| Frances Conroy (Winner) | Ruth Fisher | Six Feet Under (HBO) |
| Mariska Hargitay | Olivia Benson | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) |
| Allison Janney | C.J. Cregg | The West Wing (NBC) |
| Stockard Channing | First Lady Abbey Bartlet | The West Wing (NBC) |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Tony Shalhoub won for his eccentric detective Adrian Monk in Monk (USA), embodying vulnerability and humor in a character grappling with obsessive-compulsive disorder.[19] The category featured heavy representation from sitcom families, showcasing relatable ensemble support.| Nominees | Role | Show (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Boyle | Frank Barone | Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
| Brad Garrett | Robert Barone | Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
| Sean Hayes | Jack McFarland | Will & Grace (NBC) |
| Ray Romano | Ray Barone | Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
| Tony Shalhoub (Winner) | Adrian Monk | Monk (USA) |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Megan Mullally earned the honor for her flamboyant Karen Walker in Will & Grace (NBC), delivering sharp comic timing that elevated the show's ensemble banter.[19]| Nominees | Role | Show (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Patricia Heaton | Debra Barone | Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
| Lisa Kudrow | Phoebe Buffay | Friends (NBC) |
| Debra Messing | Grace Adler | Will & Grace (NBC) |
| Megan Mullally (Winner) | Karen Walker | Will & Grace (NBC) |
| Doris Roberts | Marie Barone | Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Al Pacino took the award for his transformative performance as Roy Cohn in the HBO miniseries Angels in America, a role that channeled rage and vulnerability in Tony Kushner's AIDS-era epic.[19] The production's dominance was evident, securing four acting nominations in television categories and underscoring its theatrical roots adapted for screen.[11]| Nominees | Role | Production (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Al Pacino (Winner) | Roy Cohn | Angels in America (HBO) |
| Justin Kirk | Prior Walter | Angels in America (HBO) |
| Paul Newman | Stage Manager | Our Town (Showtime) |
| Jeffrey Wright | Belize | Angels in America (HBO) |
| Forest Whitaker | Medgar Evers | Deacons for Defense (Showtime) |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Meryl Streep won for her multifaceted portrayal of Hannah Pitt in Angels in America (HBO), demonstrating range from stoic conservatism to profound empathy.[19] This category spotlighted limited-series storytelling, with Angels in America claiming two of the five spots and reinforcing its critical acclaim for ensemble-driven historical drama.| Nominees | Role | Production (Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Bancroft | Mrs. Stone | The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (Showtime) |
| Helen Mirren | Karen Stone | The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (Showtime) |
| Mary-Louise Parker | Harper Pitt | Angels in America (HBO) |
| Meryl Streep (Winner) | Hannah Pitt | Angels in America (HBO) |
| Emma Thompson | Emily Delahunty | My House in Umbria (HBO) |