Urban World

Screen Actors Guild Awards

With the Hollywood awards season in full swing, the winners of 16th annual SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards were named recently honouring achievement in the previous year’s television and film.

Held at the Shrine Exhibition Hall in Los Angeles, the Screen Actors Guild Awards felt like déjà vu because many of the winners in major categories mimic Golden Globe winners of the previous week.

The SAG Awards featured 14 first-time nominees, including Mo'Nique, Gabourey Sidibe, Drew Barrymore, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. "Avatar" was excluded from this.

Actors who won both SAG and Golden Globe awards include: Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock," Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side," Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart," Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds," "Glee," "Mad Men," Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife," Drew Barrymore for "Grey Garden," Michael C. Hall for "Dexter," and Kevin Bacon for "Taking Chance."

Tina Fey won for best female actor in a comedy series for her role as Liz Lemon on "30 Rock."

Jeff Bridges was honoured for his role in "Crazy Heart." Although he has gained positive reviews for more than 30 years for his often quirky characters, Bridges has rarely received major award nominations. His SAG and Golden Globe wins increase the Oscar buzz surrounding his performance.

The highlight of the show was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Betty White, one of the few actors still alive from the early days of television. At 88 years old, she is still active, showcasing her talents on television and in movies and still has a wry sense of humor.

By JANELLE OSWALD