The 32nd Actor Awards, hosted by Kristen Bell, took place earlier this March, honoring the top film and television performances of 2025 in a ceremony that reflected standout achievements and unexpected outcomes. Two major wins were Sinners and The Studio.
“I thought Sinners was a really powerful film, both visually and thematically. One of the most interesting aspects to me was its deeper message about culture and identity, although it’s not stated outright. The vampires can be interpreted as a metaphor for the exploitation and appropriation of Black music by white audiences and industries,” said junior Eli Kutten.
In film categories, Sinners emerged as one of the night’s most successful productions, winning Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and helping secure a leading actor victory for Michael B. Jordan.
Other major acting honors included Jessie Buckley for her leading performance in Hamnet, as well as Sean Penn and Amy Madigan for supporting roles, reinforcing a mix of established talent and critically acclaimed performances across the film categories.
Notably, several highly anticipated contenders left the ceremony without wins.
Despite leading all films with seven nominations, One Battle After Another only secured one award, surprising many observers.
Similarly, Marty Supreme, which had generated significant attention and featured a widely discussed performance by Timothée Chalamet, did not convert any of its nominations into victories.
“Honestly, I was really surprised Marty Supreme didn’t win anything. I thought it was one of the biggest and advertised movies of the year, and everyone expected that it would be recognized for its success,” says Junior Mia Eskin.
The shutout underscored the unpredictability of peer-voted awards and suggested that early frontrunners do not always translate into final winners.
Television categories were dominated by The Studio, which led all series with three wins, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and individual wins for Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara, whose award was given following her recent death.
The emotional weight of O’Hara’s recognition stood out as one of the most memorable moments of the night, reflecting both her impact on the industry and the awards’ emphasis on honoring artistic legacy.
Other television winners reflected a wide range of genres and platforms.
Noah Wyle earned recognition for his performance in The Pitt, which also won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, while Keri Russell was honored for her role in The Diplomat.
In limited series categories, Michelle Williams and Owen Cooper received awards, highlighting strong performances across both established and emerging talent in serialized storytelling.
The ceremony also featured a tribute to lifetime achievement, with Harrison Ford receiving the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to film and television.
Presented by Woody Harrelson, the honor recognized Ford’s enduring influence and cultural impact across generations of audiences.
Formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the ceremony marked the first year under its new name, the Actor Awards, a shift announced in November 2025.
Organizers said the updated title better reflects the awards’ identity as the only major Hollywood honors voted on exclusively by actors.
The event streamed live on Netflix for the third consecutive year, signaling the continued shift of major award shows toward digital platforms and global accessibility.
Nominations were announced in January, setting the stage for a competitive and closely watched awards season.
Beyond the awards themselves, the ceremony included an “In Memoriam” segment introduced by Sarah Paulson, paying tribute to actors who died in 2025 and early 2026.
The segment reinforced the communal nature of the event, emphasizing remembrance alongside celebration.
A wide range of presenters, including actors from nominated projects, further reflected the collaborative and peer-driven spirit of the awards.
