Award season is never complete without thunderous applause and sometimes the occasional upset. And the 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, delivered plenty of both. As the final major precursor to the Oscars, every unexpected win or loss has the potential to influence what happens at the Academy Awards. 

So, here is a look at some of the most notable triumphs and snubs of the night that have both fans and critics buzzing.

The audience at the 2026 Actor Awards rose to its feet in a heartfelt standing ovation when the late Catherine O'Hara was named as the winner of the Best Actress – Comedy award for her role in The Studio. This comes just a month after her tragic passing due to a lung clot. On her behalf, Seth Rogen accepted the award and shared a few words in her honor.

And although Erin Doherty for Adolescence and Sarah Snook for All Her Fault were clearly formidable contenders in the Best Actress – Limited Series category, the award ultimately went to Michelle Williams for her powerful performance in Dying for Se-. She showed a groundbreaking performance as Molly Kochan, who is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. 

Another surprise victory of the night was Amy Madigan taking home Best Supporting Actress. She faced stiff competition from Odessa A'zion (Marty Supreme) and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another). The win follows her recent Critics’ Choice triumph for portraying the beloved Aunt Gladys in Zach Cregger’s film Weapons.

Michael B. Jordan faced one of the toughest competitions for Best Actor. Fellow nominees included Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia). Ultimately, the honor went to Jordan for his dual performance as twins Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners.

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Now, there were plenty of strong performances that came close but narrowly missed out. Here is a look back at the shocking snubs from the Actors Award 2026. 

While Michelle Williams’ win was well-deserved, Erin Doherty’s omission came as a surprising snub. Adolescence has already earned her several accolades, including an Emmy, and Doherty’s powerful and intense performance as a psychologist was widely praised, making her nomination at the Actor Awards all the more notable. 

Timothée Chalamet was another unexpected snub. Throughout awards season, he had garnered much recognition, winning both the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award for his role in Marty Supreme. This made him a strong contender for the Actor Awards. 

His loss now makes predictions for the Oscars even more uncertain. Similarly, Teyana Taylor was widely regarded as a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress. She had already secured the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards for her performance in One Battle After Another, strengthening her case for a win. 

Now, if the Actor Awards are any indication for the winners at the Oscars, this year remains unpredictable. And this uncertainty raises the stake more than ever before. 

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What do you think about surprises and snubs at the 2026 Actor Awards? Let us know in the comments.