The Actor Awards: Honoring Excellence in Film and Television
The upcoming 32nd edition of the SAG Awards, now known as the Actor Awards, is set to take place on March 1, 2026. The show, organized by SAG-AFTRA, the world's largest acting union, aims to honor outstanding performances in film and television. The name change was announced by Jon Brockett, the showrunner, and JoBeth Williams, the actress and chair of SAG-AFTRA's Awards Committee, as a step forward in the show's evolution.
Previously known as the SAG Awards, the decision to rename the show to the Actor Awards was made to provide clearer recognition of its focus on honoring actors in film and television. The change aligns the show's name with the iconic statuette awarded to winners and aims to appeal to a broader global audience, especially since the show began streaming on Netflix.
The show's name change to The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA signifies a new chapter while maintaining the foundation of actors honoring actors. Despite the name change, the legacy and prestige of the awards remain intact, ensuring that the show's spirit and purpose remain consistent.
The evolution of the show's name has been a long time coming, with the statuette always referred to as The Actor. The decision to make the name change official was prompted by the show's expanding global audience and the desire to align the show's title with the award itself and the union supporting it.
While the show's name may have changed, the voting, submissions, eligibility, and overall essence of the SAG Awards remain the same. The transition to The Actor Awards will be gradual, allowing past winners and audiences to adjust to the new name while continuing to recognize the show's longstanding tradition of honoring actors in the industry.
In conclusion, the renaming of the SAG Awards to the Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA marks a significant milestone in the show's evolution. The decision to align the show's name with the iconic statuette and the union behind it reflects a commitment to clarity, global visibility, and the continued celebration of outstanding performances in film and television.