The 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, held on January 27, 2019, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, celebrated the most outstanding performances in film and television from the 2018 calendar year. From the historic win for Black Panther to the dominance of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the 2019 ceremony remains a landmark event in award season history.
In 2026, as we look back on the evolution of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the 2019 edition stands out for its diverse array of winners and its significant predictive power for the subsequent Academy Awards. Hosted by Megan Mullally, the ceremony honored peer-voted excellence across 15 categories, emphasizing the unique perspective of the SAG-AFTRA membership. This guide provides the full, verified list of nominees and winners, alongside an analysis of the night's most impactful moments and the technical criteria that defined the honors.
The Significance of the 2019 SAG Awards
The SAG Awards are often considered the most accurate "bellwether" for the acting categories at the Oscars. Because the Screen Actors Guild represents the largest voting bloc within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the winners at this ceremony frequently repeat their success on the Oscar stage.
In 2019, the narrative was centered on the intersection of blockbuster success and critical acclaim. The nomination of Black Panther for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture was a rare moment where a superhero film was recognized for its ensemble acting, ultimately leading to a historic victory. This win challenged the long-held industry notion that "popcorn movies" were distinct from "prestige acting."
Furthermore, the 2019 ceremony marked the silver anniversary of the SAG Awards. This milestone was commemorated through a focus on the craft of acting, culminating in the Life Achievement Award presented to Alan Alda, whose career spanned over six decades and served as an inspiration to the thousands of union members in attendance.
Complete Film Winners and Nominees
The theatrical categories at the 2019 SAG Awards were characterized by intense competition, particularly in the lead actor and ensemble fields. The following lists detail the nominees in each category, with the winners highlighted in bold.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
This category is the SAG equivalent of "Best Picture," focusing on the collective strength of the entire credited cast.
- Black Panther (Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Forest Whitaker, Letitia Wright)
- A Star Is Born (Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Rafi Gavron, Lady Gaga, Anthony Ramos)
- BlacKkKlansman (Harry Belafonte, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, Corey Hawkins, John David Washington)
- Bohemian Rhapsody (Lucy Boynton, Aidan Gillen, Ben Hardy, Tom Hollander, Gwilym Lee, Allen Leech, Rami Malek, Joe Mazzello, Mike Myers)
- Crazy Rich Asians (Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Henry Golding, Ken Jeong, Lisa Lu, Harry Shum Jr., Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
- Glenn Close – The Wife
- Emily Blunt – Mary Poppins Returns
- Olivia Colman – The Favourite
- Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born
- Melissa McCarthy – Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
- Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody
- Christian Bale – Vice
- Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born
- Viggo Mortensen – Green Book
- John David Washington – BlacKkKlansman
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
- Emily Blunt – A Quiet Place
- Amy Adams – Vice
- Margot Robbie – Mary Queen of Scots
- Emma Stone – The Favourite
- Rachel Weisz – The Favourite
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
- Mahershala Ali – Green Book
- Timothée Chalamet – Beautiful Boy
- Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman
- Sam Elliott – A Star Is Born
- Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Complete Television Winners and Nominees
The 2019 television landscape was dominated by Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the final surges of established dramas like This Is Us. The TV categories highlighted the shift toward limited series and the continuing "Golden Age" of streaming content.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
- This Is Us (Niles Fitch, Mackenzie Hancsicsak, Justin Hartley, Faithe Herman, Jon Huertas, Melanie Liburd, Chrissy Metz, Mandy Moore, Lyric Ross, Chris Sullivan, Milo Ventimiglia, Susan Kelechi Watson, Hannah Zeile)
- The Americans (Anthony Arkin, Scott William Winters, Keidrich Sellati, Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell, Noah Emmerich, Holly Taylor)
- Better Call Saul (Jonathan Banks, Rainer Bock, Ray Campbell, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Mando, Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn)
- The Handmaid’s Tale (Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer, Amanda Brugel, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Sydney Sweeney)
- Ozark (Jason Bateman, Lisa Emery, Skylar Gaertner, Julia Garner, Darren Goldstein, Jason Butler Harner, Carson Holmes, Sofia Hublitz, Laura Linney, Trevor Long, Janet McTeer, Peter Mullan, Jordana Spiro, Charlie Tahan, Robert Treveiler, Harris Yulin)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Caroline Aaron, Alex Borstein, Rachel Brosnahan, Marin Hinkle, Zachary Levi, Kevin Pollak, Tony Shalhoub, Brian Tarantina, Michael Zegen)
- Atlanta (Khris Davis, Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield)
- Barry (Darrell Britt-Gibson, D’Arcy Carden, Bill Hader, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Anthony Carrigan, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Henry Winkler, Paula Newsome, Glenn Fleshler)
- GLOW (Britt Baron, Shakira Barrera, Alison Brie, Kimmy Gatewood, Betty Gilpin, Rebekka Johnson, Chris Lowell, Sunita Mani, Marc Maron, Kate Nash, Wyatt Nash, Sydelle Noel, Victor Quinaz, Gayle Rankin, Bashir Salahuddin, Kia Stevens, Jackie Tohn, Ellen Wong, Britney Young)
- The Kominsky Method (Jenna Lyng Adams, Nancy Travis, Sarah Baker, Alan Arkin, Casey Thomas Brown, Michael Douglas, Ashleigh LaThrop, Emily Osment, Graham Rogers, Susan Sullivan)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
- Sandra Oh – Killing Eve
- Julia Garner – Ozark
- Laura Linney – Ozark
- Elisabeth Moss – The Handmaid’s Tale
- Robin Wright – House of Cards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
- Jason Bateman – Ozark
- Jonathan Banks – Better Call Saul
- Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us
- Joseph Fiennes – The Handmaid’s Tale
- John Krasinski – Jack Ryan
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
- Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Alison Brie – GLOW
- Jane Fonda – Grace and Frankie
- Lily Tomlin – Grace and Frankie
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
- Tony Shalhoub – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Alan Arkin – The Kominsky Method
- Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method
- Bill Hader – Barry
- Henry Winkler – Barry
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
- Patricia Arquette – Escape at Dannemora
- Amy Adams – Sharp Objects
- Patricia Clarkson – Sharp Objects
- Penélope Cruz – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
- Emma Stone – Maniac
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
- Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
- Antonio Banderas – Genius: Picasso
- Hugh Grant – A Very English Scandal
- Anthony Hopkins – King Lear
- Bill Pullman – The Sinner
Stunt Ensemble Awards
While the main telecast focuses on acting, the SAG Awards also recognize the vital contribution of stunt performers. These awards are presented during the red carpet pre-show.
| Category | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture | Black Panther | Ant-Man and the Wasp, The Avengers: Infinity War, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Mission: Impossible – Fallout |
| Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series | GLOW | The Walking Dead, Westworld, Marvel's Daredevil, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan |
The 55th Life Achievement Award: Alan Alda
The most poignant moment of the 2019 ceremony was the presentation of the Life Achievement Award to Alan Alda. Introduced by Tom Hanks, Alda was recognized not only for his iconic role as Hawkeye Pierce in MASH* but also for his extensive work in film, theater, and his advocacy for science communication.
Alda, who had recently revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, delivered a speech that emphasized the actor’s role in fostering empathy. He argued that at a time when society felt increasingly divided, the ability of actors to step into someone else’s shoes was more essential than ever. This message resonated deeply within the Shrine Auditorium, reaffirming the guild’s commitment to storytelling as a humanizing force.
Key Takeaways and Industry Impact
The 2019 SAG Awards provided several key data points for film historians and industry analysts.
- The Ensemble as a Best Picture Indicator: Black Panther winning the Ensemble award was a major victory for Marvel Studios and Disney. While it did not go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture (which went to Green Book), it solidified the film's status as a serious artistic achievement beyond its box office numbers.
- Surprise Wins: Emily Blunt’s win for A Quiet Place was the biggest upset of the night. Blunt was not nominated for an Oscar for this role, making her SAG victory a unique instance where the guild diverged significantly from the Academy's eventual choices.
- The Rise of Streaming: Amazon’s clean sweep in the comedy categories (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) signaled the definitive end of traditional network dominance in the comedy space.
- Peer Recognition vs. Critical Consensus: The SAG Awards are unique because the voters are working actors. This often leads to wins based on the "difficulty" of a performance (such as Rami Malek's transformation into Freddie Mercury) rather than just the popularity of the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 2019 SAG Awards?
The 25th Annual SAG Awards were hosted by actress Megan Mullally. She was the second-ever host in the history of the ceremony, following Kristen Bell who hosted the previous year. Prior to 2018, the ceremony traditionally did not have a single host.
Why did Black Panther's win matter?
Black Panther was the first superhero film to win the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. This was significant because it demonstrated that the largest body of professional actors in the industry viewed the film as a high-caliber ensemble piece, paving the way for more genre films to be taken seriously during award season.
How are SAG Award winners chosen?
Winners are chosen by the entire active membership of SAG-AFTRA, which consists of approximately 160,000 performers. To be eligible to vote for the winners, members must be in good standing. The initial nominees, however, are chosen by two smaller, randomly selected nominating committees—one for film and one for television.
Did any 2019 SAG winners go on to win Oscars?
Yes, several key winners repeated their success at the 91st Academy Awards. Rami Malek (Best Actor), Mahershala Ali (Best Supporting Actor), and Olivia Colman (who was a SAG nominee but won the Oscar for Lead Actress) all shared in the season's glory. However, the SAG Ensemble winner (Black Panther) and the SAG Lead Actress winner (Glenn Close) did not win the corresponding top Oscar categories.
Where was the 2019 ceremony held?
The ceremony was held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California. This venue has a long history with the SAG Awards and offers the necessary space for the massive "dinner party" style seating that distinguishes the SAGs from the theater-style seating of the Oscars.
Expert Guidance: Navigating Historical Award Data
When researching historical awards like the 2019 SAGs, it is important to distinguish between "nominations" and "wins" to understand the full scope of a year's cinematic landscape. The SAG Awards are particularly valuable for researchers because they provide insight into what performers value in their colleagues' work—often prioritizing technical vocal work, physical transformation, and ensemble chemistry.
For those tracking the career trajectories of actors like Rami Malek or Sandra Oh, the 2019 awards serve as a definitive high-water mark that moved them from "respected actors" to "industry icons." If you are analyzing the "Oscar race" of any given year, the SAG results should be your primary resource for predicting the four acting categories.
