18th Screen Actors Guild Awards
The 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards, honoring outstanding performances in film and primetime television for 2011, were held on January 29, 2012, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.[1][2] The ceremony, broadcast live on TNT and TBS, featured no traditional host and instead relied on a series of presenters from the industry, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Kathy Bates.[3] Key highlights included the dominance of The Help in the film categories, where the ensemble cast won for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Viola Davis took Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and Octavia Spencer received Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.[4][1] Jean Dujardin won for his leading role in The Artist, while Christopher Plummer earned the supporting actor award for Beginners.[4] In television, Boardwalk Empire secured the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, with Steve Buscemi winning for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series and Jessica Lange for her role in American Horror Story.[4] The comedy series award for ensemble went to Modern Family, and individual wins included Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock and Betty White for Hot in Cleveland.[4] Game of Thrones was recognized for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 took the film stunt ensemble honor.[4][5] Mary Tyler Moore was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award by her former co-star Dick Van Dyke, recognizing her pioneering contributions to television, including iconic roles in The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.[4][6] The event underscored the guild's focus on ensemble work and individual artistry, with post-ceremony festivities supporting the SAG Foundation through partnerships like the one with People magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.[7]Ceremony
Date and venue
The 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards, which recognize outstanding ensemble and individual acting performances in film and television, were held on January 29, 2012, honoring achievements from 2011.[8] The ceremony took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States, utilizing the venue's Exposition Center for the main event.[9] The Shrine Auditorium, a historic Moorish Revival structure built in 1926, offers a seating capacity of approximately 6,300, making it suitable for large-scale awards gatherings.[10] Production elements included an opulent stage design drawing inspiration from classic movie palaces, featuring metallic accents, gunmetal linens on dining tables, crystal and silver tableware, and multi-textured green and white floral displays that complemented the deco aesthetic.[11] At center stage, a massive silver screen set within an illuminated surround served as the focal point to showcase performances and tributes central to the ceremony.[11] The nominees for the awards were announced on December 14, 2011, by actresses Regina King and Judy Greer, who were introduced by SAG President Ken Howard, at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater in Los Angeles.[12]Broadcast and viewership
The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony, held on January 29, 2012, was simulcast live on TNT and TBS from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.[13] The event was produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards, LLC, with Warner Bros. Television serving as the production company, and directed by Jeff Margolis.[14][15] The broadcast attracted approximately 5.1 million total viewers across both networks, marking a solid audience for the awards show at the time.[16] This figure represented a slight increase from the previous year's viewership and contributed to the networks' decision to extend their broadcasting agreement for future ceremonies.[17] Following the live airing, an encore presentation was broadcast on both TNT and TBS the next day, January 30, 2012, at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.[13] Additionally, TNT provided live online streaming coverage of the event through its website, allowing broader digital access for viewers.[18]Presenters and notable moments
The 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony did not feature a traditional host, instead relying on a structure of peer-to-peer presentations by fellow actors to maintain an intimate, guild-focused atmosphere.[19] This approach highlighted collaborations among nominees and past honorees, with key presenters including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Viola Davis, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jean Dujardin, Octavia Spencer, and members of ensembles from films like The Help and Bridesmaids.[20][21] Additional presenters encompassed a broad array of talent such as Kevin Bacon, Kathy Bates, Bérénice Bejo, Kenneth Branagh, Jessica Chastain, Don Cheadle, Glenn Close, Tina Fey, Meryl Streep, and Michelle Williams, drawn largely from the year's nominated casts to emphasize collective recognition.[20] Among the notable moments, the Bridesmaids cast delivered a standout comedic segment while introducing a highlight from their film, engaging the audience with a playful "Martin Scorsese drinking game" where viewers were instructed to take a sip every time the director's name was mentioned in the clip—a nod to the film's behind-the-scenes anecdotes that added levity to the proceedings.[22][23] A significant surprise came from The Help, whose ensemble achieved an unexpected sweep in major categories, outperforming frontrunner The Artist and shifting early Oscar momentum toward its performers.[21] Emotional highlights included Viola Davis's acceptance speech, in which she tearfully thanked veteran actress Cicely Tyson for inspiring her dreams of representation and change in Hollywood, underscoring the guild's role in uplifting underrepresented voices.[21] Backstage, Jean Dujardin, often likened to a "French George Clooney," celebrated his win with exuberant dancing, humming, and a rendition of the French national anthem, later joking about the pressure of the awards season while apologizing for any perceived dullness in his demeanor.[24] These instances captured the ceremony's blend of heartfelt tributes and lighthearted surprises at the Shrine Auditorium.[21] Notable red carpet attendees included Bryan Cranston, nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for Breaking Bad, accompanied by his daughter Taylor Dearden.[25][26]Performance awards
Film
The film categories of the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards recognized outstanding acting achievements in motion pictures released in 2011, with nominations announced on December 14, 2011, by panels of randomly selected SAG members comprising over 2,100 actors nationwide. These awards emphasized peer-voted selections, often favoring performances that demonstrated emotional depth and collaborative storytelling, as seen in the dominance of The Help, which secured three wins and reflected voters' appreciation for its layered ensemble dynamics addressing civil rights-era tensions.[27][28]Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
This category, regarded by many as the actors' equivalent of a best-picture honor, celebrated cohesive group performances across nominated films. The nominees were:- The Artist
- Bridesmaids
- The Descendants
- The Help
- Midnight in Paris [29]
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
This award honored lead male performances noted for their range and authenticity in 2011 releases. The nominees were:- Demián Bichir as Carlos Galindo in A Better Life
- George Clooney as Matt King in The Descendants
- Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in J. Edgar
- Brad Pitt as Billy Beane in Moneyball
- *Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist [29]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Focusing on central female characters, this category showcased voters' recognition of nuanced emotional deliveries. The nominees were:- Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs in Albert Nobbs
- Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark in The Help
- Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
- Tilda Swinton as Eva Khatchadourian in We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn [29]
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
This accolade spotlighted impactful secondary male characters that elevated their films. The nominees were:- Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier in My Week with Marilyn
- Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in J. Edgar
- Jonah Hill as Peter Brand in Moneyball
- Nick Nolte as Paddy Conlon in Warrior
- *Christopher Plummer as Hal in Beginners [29]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Emphasizing memorable supporting female turns, this category reflected the Guild's focus on authentic character work. The nominees were:- Bérénice Bejo as Peppy Miller in The Artist
- Jessica Chastain as Celia Foote in The Help
- Janet McTeer as Madge in Albert Nobbs
- Melissa McCarthy as Megan Price in Bridesmaids
- *Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson in The Help [29]
Television
The television categories of the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards honored outstanding acting achievements in primetime scripted series, miniseries, and television films eligible from the period of December 2, 2010, to November 30, 2011. These awards highlighted the Guild's distinctive focus on ensemble performances, with repeat victories underscoring the collaborative nature of television storytelling.[1]Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
The ensemble award celebrated the collective work of casts in comedic series, where Modern Family secured its second consecutive win, reflecting the show's consistent recognition for its family dynamics and humor.[29][35]| Nominees |
|---|
| 30 Rock |
| The Big Bang Theory |
| Glee |
| Modern Family (winner) |
| The Office |
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire repeated as the winner in this category, earning praise for its portrayal of 1920s Atlantic City through layered ensemble interactions.[29][1]| Nominees |
|---|
| Boardwalk Empire (winner) |
| Breaking Bad |
| Dexter |
| Game of Thrones |
| The Good Wife |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin won for his portrayal of the eccentric executive Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, marking his sixth consecutive SAG Award in the category and highlighting his enduring comedic timing.[29][36]| Nominee | Role/Show |
|---|---|
| Alec Baldwin (winner) | Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock |
| Ty Burrell | Phil Dunphy, Modern Family |
| Steve Carell | Michael Scott, The Office |
| Jon Cryer | Alan Harper, Two and a Half Men |
| Eric Stonestreet | Cameron Tucker, Modern Family |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Betty White claimed the award for her role as the sassy Elka Ostrovsky in Hot in Cleveland, a win that celebrated her versatile return to leading comedy roles at age 90.[29]| Nominee | Role/Show |
|---|---|
| Julie Bowen | Claire Dunphy, Modern Family |
| Edie Falco | Jackie Peyton, Nurse Jackie |
| Tina Fey | Liz Lemon, 30 Rock |
| Sofia Vergara | Gloria Pritchett, Modern Family |
| Betty White (winner) | Elka Ostrovsky, Hot in Cleveland |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi received the honor for his nuanced depiction of gangster Enoch "Nucky" Thompson in Boardwalk Empire, contributing to the series' sweep of drama honors that evening.[29][37]| Nominee | Role/Show |
|---|---|
| Patrick J. Adams | Mike Ross, Suits |
| Steve Buscemi (winner) | Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, Boardwalk Empire |
| Kyle Chandler | Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights |
| Bryan Cranston | Walter White, Breaking Bad |
| Michael C. Hall | Dexter Morgan, Dexter |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jessica Lange won for her chilling performance as Constance Langdon in the anthology series American Horror Story, which blurred lines between ongoing series and miniseries formats, influencing its eligibility and voter appeal.[29][37]| Nominee | Role/Show |
|---|---|
| Kathy Bates | Harriet Korn, Harry's Law |
| Glenn Close | Patty Hewes, Damages |
| Jessica Lange (winner) | Constance Langdon, American Horror Story |
| Julianna Margulies | Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife |
| Kyra Sedgwick | Brenda Leigh Johnson, The Closer |
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Paul Giamatti took the award for his role as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in the HBO film Too Big to Fail, lauded for capturing the intensity of the 2008 financial crisis.[29]| Nominee | Role/Project |
|---|---|
| Laurence Fishburne | Thurgood Marshall, Thurgood |
| Paul Giamatti (winner) | Tim Geithner, Too Big to Fail |
| Greg Kinnear | John F. Kennedy, The Kennedys |
| Guy Pearce | Monty Beragon, Mildred Pierce |
| James Woods | Richard Fuld, Too Big to Fail |
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Kate Winslet earned the win for her dual portrayal of Mildred and Veda Pierce in the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce, demonstrating her range in a period drama centered on mother-daughter tensions.[29]| Nominee | Role/Project |
|---|---|
| Diane Lane | Diane Sawyer, Cinema Verite |
| Maggie Smith | Violet Crawley, Downton Abbey |
| Emily Watson | Janet Leech, Appropriate Adult |
| Betty White | Caroline Thomas, The Lost Valentine |
| Kate Winslet (winner) | Mildred Pierce, Mildred Pierce |