Denzel, Viola and Mahershala garner individual acting accolades
The La La Land juggernaut hit a speed bump at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, when it only took home one trophy, Emma Stone’s for Best Actress in a Leading Role. On an evening dominated by African American entrants, Blacks prevailed in the other three film acting categories, with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis winning for Fences, while Mahershala Ali landed the Best Supporting Actor accolade for his powerful performance in Moonlight. Delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech, Ali talked about maintaining a great relationship with his Christian minister mother despite his converting to Islam.
In what has to be considered a big upset, the SAG equivalent for Best Picture honors went to Hidden Figures. Granted La La hadn’t even been nominated, but Moonlight had been dubbed the prohibitive favorite, followed by Fences and Manchester by the Sea.
Nevertheless, long shot Hidden Figures beat the odds, and Taraji P. Henson spoke earnestly on behalf of the entire ensemble cast, which also included Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons, Kirsten Dunst and Ali. In what was easily the most moving address of the evening, she credited the three women serving as inspiration for the picture, closing with, “They are hidden figures no more.”
Many of the presenters and winners took potshots at Donald Trump, most notably, Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Lily Tomlin. Backstage, after the show, she compared the President to Hitler, noting, “Trump is changing the laws… I don’t want to make this comparison…but the Nazis changed the laws if they didn’t agree with them… We need to be vigilant… Omigosh, I feel like I’m talking to someplace in Germany many decades ago.”
Complete List of 2017 Screen Actors Guild Winner
Film
Cast in a Motion Picture: Hidden Figures
Female Actor in a Leading Role: Emma Stone, La La Land
Male Actor in a Leading Role: Denzel Washington, Fences
Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis, Fences
Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: Hacksaw Ridge
Television
Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: William H. Macy, Shameless
Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Orange is the New Black
Female Actor in Drama Series: Claire Foy, The Crown
Male Actor in Drama Series: John Lithgow, The Crown
Ensemble in a Drama Series: Stranger Things
Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Bryan Cranston, All the Way
Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series: Game of Thrones
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lily Tomlin
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.
