The 2026 Actors Guild Awards (officially renamed The Actor Awards, and yes that still sounds like a placeholder) are shaping up to be one of the most talked‑about nights of the awards season, even before one single celeb hits the red carpet. Here’s the full scoop: snubs, shocks, records, controversies, and all the vibes.

The awards is set to hold on Sunday, March 1, 2026, live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Before we spill the 2026 tea, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, the Actors Guild Awards didn’t just appear out of nowhere.

The awards were founded in 1995 by SAG-AFTRA (yep, that’s the full name: Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Back then, they were called the SAG Awards, and they were created to recognize outstanding performances in film and primetime television. Basically, Hollywood’s “we see you” moment for actors, because let’s be real, acting is hard work, and these awards celebrate both individual performances and the magic of full ensemble casts, whether it’s a drama series, a comedy, or the cast of a hit movie.

Fun fact: the nominations are chosen by committees, one for film, one for TV, with about 2,100 union members randomly picked each year. Then the entire SAG-AFTRA membership (165,000 people as of 2012) votes for the winners. So it’s not just a popularity contest; these are actors recognizing actors, which is kinda cool.

The SAG Awards have also been a reliable predictor for the Oscars. So if someone wins here, there’s a very good chance they’re walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards later.

The first awards were held February 25, 1995, at Universal Studios’ Stage 12, and the second moved to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Since then, the Shrine Auditorium has been the main stage, giving Hollywood that classic awards-show vibe we all know and love.

And the statuette? Oh, it’s iconic. “The Actor” is a nude male figure holding both the comedy and tragedy masks, standing 16 inches tall, over 12 pounds of solid bronze, and made in Burbank, California. Basically, heavy enough to feel like a real trophy, not some flimsy thing you could throw in a drawer.

Over the years, the awards have had some historic moments:

Then, in a move that sent shocks through Hollywood, the SAG Awards officially became The Actor Awards in November 2025, and yes, people still have opinions about it.

So yeah, the awards have history, clout, and major bragging rights for winners. And now, 2026 is shaping up to add a whole new chapter,&nbsp; drama, controversy, fashion, politics, and of course… the tea.

So first, major headline: the awards formerly known as the SAG Awards are now officially called The Actor Awards presented by SAG‑AFTRA. The idea was to make the name clearer for a global audience and align it with the statuette’s name, The Actor.

But critics and longtime members are soooo not here for it. Many feel the name is generic, sterile, and strips away decades of union history, basically trading identity for global clarity. Social media has been roasting it nonstop. Some fans even joked it sounds like someone forgot to finish naming the show.&nbsp;

The nomination list dropped January 7 and&nbsp; it’s already giving scandal season. One Battle After Another shocked everyone by racking up a record‑breaking 7 nominations, more than any film in the history of these awards. It’s dominating both ensemble categories and major individual slots. This year came with serious snubs that have people not okay: Cynthia Erivo, widely expected to be a Best Actress contender for Wicked: For Good, was completely left out again. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson didn’t score a nod for The Smashing Machine, even with mountains of buzz. George Clooney and Adam Sandler also missed out in their performances.

Every foreign‑language film performance was snubbed, including major contenders like Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent, both praised everywhere else this season. That’s sparked heavy accusations of bias online.

There were some fun surprises, too like Odessa A’Zion scoring a nomination for Marty Supreme, and TV series The Studio pulling ahead as the most‑nominated show on the TV side.

The Frontrunners &amp; Predictions to Watch

Here’s a look at the likely big players heading into the awards:

These names are dominating nominations and the online chatter&nbsp; but we all know guild voters love a twist. Nothing’s official till it’s official.

Kristen Bell is back for her third consecutive time as host. Expect charm, jokes, and maybe, just maybe, a musical moment? (She teased singing in past interviews.)

Harrison Ford is getting the 61st Life Achievement Award and honestly, that energy alone is historic.

Fashion Theme: Rumor online has it that this year’s red carpet may embrace a throwback 1920s/30s Hollywood glamour theme, which will be a whole look. (Imagine the fits!)

&nbsp;Industry Politics &amp; Labor Tension (Real Tea)

This year’s ceremony isn’t just about trophies; it’s a political stage. With the SAG‑AFTRA contract expiring in June 2026, there are a ton of expectations that speeches, especially the opening monologues, will lean into AI protections, streaming pay, and actors’ rights. The stage could feel more like a protest platform than a fun awards show at times.

These are real people fighting for real changes, not just glitter and gowns.

So why is everyone talking about these awards more than usual? It’s the first year with the new name, and that’s already controversial. Historic nomination records were set. Major snubs have fueled discussion about diversity and international inclusion. Labor politics are very much in the room.

It’s not just “another awards show”, it’s a mini cultural event with political tension, industry evolution, and serious tea about who gets seen and who doesn’t.

The Actors Guild Awards 2026 are shaping up to be the most talked‑about ceremony of the season, for reasons both cool and controversial. Whether you’re here for the fashion, the speeches, the politics, or the wins, this year is giving stories well before winners.

Set your clock: March 1, 2026, live on Netflix. This one’s going viral.

Get all the tea on the 2026 Actors Guild Awards, from shocking snubs and viral nominations to the history, iconic moments, and Hollywood drama you can’t miss. Streaming live on Netflix March 1!


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