During the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards ceremony, held on February 23 at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, actress Kristen Bell took center stage as the host, delivering comedic moments intertwined with heartfelt tributes and celebrating the remarkable achievements of her peers. Bell's opening monologue included a musical parody of her iconic song, "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," where she humorously revamped the lyrics to reflect the trials and tribulations of aspiring actors.
"Do you wanna be an actor? Let’s get your foot inside the door," Bell sang, as clips of Hollywood's biggest stars flashed across screens, commemorated for their breakout roles. This nostalgic homage proved to be not just funny but also highlighted the often challenging road to stardom. With wit, Bell also poked fun at the more difficult aspects of acting, "So you wanna be an actor? It can be a bumpy ride," she remarked, showcasing the struggles many face before achieving success.
The night was filled with notable award presentations, including Timothée Chalamet’s unexpected win for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." This award represented not just recognition of his work but also underscored the competitive nature of this awards season, as Chalamet overshadowed front-runner Adrien Brody, who had claimed several other prestigious accolades. Surprised and emotional, Chalamet expressed, “I was not expecting this at all, truly. I poured everything I had to play this incomparable artist.”
Across the ceremony, other stars were also honored, with Demi Moore winning Best Female Actor for her role in the body-horror film "The Substance." Moore reflected on her win with deep gratitude: “This is extraordinary and so deeply meaningful.” The ensemble cast of the papal thriller "Conclave” took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, which Ralph Fiennes accentuated by discussing the importance of community during his acceptance speech.
Kieran Culkin continued his winning streak, adding the SAG award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in "A Real Pain" to his collection, and Zoe Saldaña triumphed as Best Female Actor for her role in the Netflix musical "Emilia Pérez." Saldaña emphatically affirmed the importance of belonging and identity within the acting community, stating, “I am proud to be part of a union allowing me to be who I am.”
The historical drama series "Shōgun" dominated the night with four awards: Best Drama Ensemble, Best Male Actor (Hiroyuki Sanada), Best Female Actor (Anna Sawai), and Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble. A visibly moved Anna Sawai remarked, “This is beyond my imagination,” emphasizing the collective effort behind their success.
Jessica Gunning from "Baby Reindeer" achieved acclaim as Best Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, earning acknowledgment for her work alongside co-star Richard Gadd. Colin Farrell also received recognition for his role in "The Penguin," winning Best Male Actor for his part, marked by light-hearted exchanges and humor during his acceptance, particularly when he quipped about the circumstances surrounding his health during awards season.
On the evening’s comedic front, veteran Jean Smart nabbed the Best Female Actor trophy for her performance in "Hacks," celebrating with her third SAG award. Meanwhile, Martin Short created surprise by winning the male equivalent for "Only Murders in the Building," eliciting laughter from audiences when Selena Gomez joked about their ensemble’s previous lack of wins.
This year’s SAG Awards also featured the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed upon the illustrious Jane Fonda, who received resounding applause as Julia Louis-Dreyfus referred to Fonda as “a woman whose life on and off the screen has simply been epic.” Fonda, reflecting on her unique career, remarked on the political climate's seriousness, encouraging the audience, “We mustn’t for a moment kid ourselves about what is happening.”
Kristen Bell’s heartfelt tribute to Los Angeles firefighters, along with her comedic flair throughout the night, cemented the ceremony's dual narrative—celebration of artistic achievements paired with acknowledgment of significant societal contributions. The SAG Awards, voted on by actors, have historically been precursors to the Academy Awards, setting the stage for potential Oscar outcomes.
With the Oscars approaching on March 2, the SAG winners will undoubtedly influence perceptions and predictions leading up to Hollywood’s biggest night. Will the accolades translate to Academy recognition? Only time will tell.