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The unlikely awards season juggernaut “Everything Everywhere All at Once” marched on at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, and even gathered steam with wins not just for best ensemble, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan but also for Jamie Lee Curtis.
The SAG Awards, often an Oscar preview, threw some curve balls into the Oscars race in a ceremony streamed live on Netflix’s YouTube page from Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
But the clearest result of the SAG Awards was the overwhelming success of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s madcap multiverse tale, which has now used its hotdog fingers to snag top honors from the acting, directing, and producing guilds. Only one film (“Apollo 13”) won all three and has not gone on to win the best picture at the Oscars.
After so much of the cast of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” had already been on the stage to accept awards, the night’s final moment belonged to 94-year-old James Hong, a supporting player in the film and a trailblazer for Asian American representation in Hollywood. He brought up the ignoble yellowface history of the 1937 film “The Good Earth.”
“The leading role was played with these guys with their eyes taped up like this and they talked like this because the producers said the Asians were not good enough and they were not a box office,” said Hong. “But look at us now!”
Hong added that the cast of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” wasn’t all Chinese, though he granted Jamie Lee Curtis had a good Chinese name. Curtis’ win was one of the most surprising of the night, coming over the longtime favorite, Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), who had seemed to be on a clear path to becoming the first actor to win an Oscar for a performance in a Marvel movie.
A visibly moved Curtis said she was wearing the wedding ring her father, Tony Curtis, gave her mother, Janet Leigh.
“I know you look at me and think ‘Nepo baby,’” said Curtis, who won her first SAG nomination. “But the truth of the matter is that I’m 64 years old and this is just amazing.”
The actors guild, though, lent some clarity to the lead categories. Though some have seen best actress as a toss-up between Yeoh and BAFTA winner Cate Blanchett (“Tár”), Yeoh again took home the award for best female lead performance.
“This is not just for me,” said Yeoh, the first Asian actress to win the SAG Award for the female lead. “It’s for every little girl that looks like me.”
Quan, the former child star, also won for a best supporting male actor. The “Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-star had left acting for years after auditions dried up. He’s also the first Asian to win best male supporting actor at the SAG Awards.
“When I stepped away from acting, it was because there were so few opportunities,” said Quan. “Now, tonight we are celebrating James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Hong Chau, Harry Shum Jr. The landscape looks so different now.”
Some online commentators suggested there was irony in Mark Wahlberg, who presented the best ensemble, handing out the night’s final award to a film with a predominantly Asian and Asian American cast. In 1988, a 16-year-old Wahlberg attacked two Vietnamese men while trying to steal beer near his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Wahlberg, who said race wasn’t a factor in the assault, served 45 days of a two-year sentence. Wahlberg also announced the film “Women Talking” as “Women Are Talking.”
The best action has been one of the hardest races to call. Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”), and Colin Farrell ( “The Banshees of Inisherin” ) have all been seen as possible winners. But it was Fraser who went home with the SAG Award for his comeback performance as an obese shut-in in “The Whale.”
“Believe me, if you just stay in there and put one foot in front of the other, you’ll get where you need to go,” said Fraser, who anxiously eyed the actor-shaped trophy and left the stage saying he was going to go look for some pants for him.
The SAG Awards are considered one of the most reliable Oscar bellwethers. Actors make up the biggest percentage of the film academy, so their choices have the largest sway. Last year, “CODA” triumphed at SAG before winning best picture at the Oscar s, while Ariana DeBose, Will Smith, Jessica Chastain, and Troy Kotsur all won a SAG Award before taking home an Academy Award.
After the SAG Awards, presented by the film and television acting guild SAG-AFTRA, lost their broadcast home at TNT/TBS, Netflix signed on to stream Sunday’s ceremony. Next year’s show will be on Netflix, proper.
Sunday’s live stream meant a slightly scaled-down vibe. Without a broadcast time limit, winners weren’t played off. A regal and unbothered Sam Elliott, winner for male actor in a TV movie or limited series for “1883,” spoke well past his allotted time. The show sped through early winners, including awards for Jean Smart (“Hacks”), Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”), and Jason Bateman (“Ozark”).
Another streaming effect: No bleeping.
Quinta Brunson and Janelle James of “Abbott Elementary” kicked off the ceremony with a few opening jokes, including one that suggested Viola Davis, a recent Grammy winner, is beyond EGOT status and has transcended into “ShEGOTallofthem.”
Brunson later returned to the stage with the cast of “Abbott Elementary” to accept the SAG award for best ensemble in a comedy series. Brunson, the sitcom’s creator and one of its producers, said of her castmates, “These people bring me back down to Earth.”
“The White Lotus” also took a victory lap, winning best ensemble in a drama series and another win for Jennifer Coolidge, coming off her wins at the Emmys and the Golden Globes. A teary-eyed Coolidge traced her love of acting to a first-grade trip to see a Charlie Chaplin film. She then thanked her date, a longtime friend, the actor Tim Bagley.
“You’re a wonderful date tonight,” said Coolidge. “I can’t wait until we get home.”
The ceremony’s first award went to a winner from last year: Jessica Chastain. A year after winning for her lead performance in the film “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” Chastain won best female actor in a TV movie or limited series for Showtime’s country music power couple series “George & Tammy.” Chastain jetted in from previews of the upcoming Broadway revival of “A Doll’s House.”
One award was announced ahead of the show from the red carpet: “Top Gun: Maverick” won for best stunt ensemble. Though some have cheered that blockbusters like “Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” are best picture nominees at this year’s Oscars, the indie smash “Everything Everywhere All at Once” increasingly looks like the biggest blockbuster at this year’s Academy Awards.
Ahead of Sunday's awards ceremony, White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson stopped by the PEOPLE & Entertainment Weekly Red Carpet Live pre-show to chat with co-hosts Janine Rubenstein and Jeremy Parsons alongside fellow SAG Awards 2023 ambassador Antonia Gentry.
As their interview was coming to an end, Jamie Lee Curtis was waiting to step in. Richardson, noticing her, expressed her desire to see the 2023 SAG Award winner appear in White Lotus for its upcoming third season.
"Everyone has been asking me who should be in season 3 and I keep saying you," Richardson said to Curtis. "Do you want to do it?"
"Yes! I don't even know what it is, but I will do it," Curtis responded.
"Okay! It's a good show," Richardson continued as Curtis asked, "Where does it shoot?"
"In beautiful places around the world at five-star resorts," Richardson responded, as the show has been set in two luxurious accommodations at fictional hotels in Hawaii and Italy so far.
After co-host Parsons jokingly noted how that was "a verbal contract," Curtis responded: "Wow, you know what? Twitter it or whatever you do!"
A 'Parent Trap' Reunion
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Lisa Ann Walter had a special date for this year's SAG Awards. The Abbott Elementary star walked arm-in-arm with Elaine Hendrix — her best friend and costar from the 1998 Disney classic The Parent Trap.
"Lisa Ann Walter asked me to show up as her date, so by golly, I showed up as her date," Hendrix said on the red carpet.
"She sure did," Walter replied. "It's the best-looking date in a tux I've ever had."
Sally Field Remembers Robin Williams
Ahead of accepting her Life Achievement Award on Sunday night, Sally Field reminisced about her time working with Robin Williams in the 1993 comedy Mrs. Doubtfire. Williams died in 2014 at age 63.
"What you think about immediately is Robin. There isn't a moment of it that's not filled with my love and joy at being in his presence," she said of the film. "I mean, Robin was Robin. He was everything he seemed to be: a generous, loving, sweet, generously talented man."
"We all miss him," added Field. "He should be growing old like me, for God's sake. I hate it that he isn't here."
Jessica Chastain Shares a Memory of Philip Seymour Hoffman
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While accepting the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or limited series for Showtime's George & Tammy, Jessica Chastain took a moment to share encouraging words she once received from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.
After appearing visibly shocked when her name was revealed, and taking a brief fall before getting to the microphone, she reminisced about a time in college when Hoffman visited her class.
"He told us all his frustrating stories about auditions and he encouraged us to keep going even when we felt like no one was watching us," she remembered of the actor, who died in 2014 at the age of 46. "And at the end of the talk, he said, 'I look forward to working with each of you,' and it really shocked me because it was like he brought it into being. A few years later it came true and I had the opportunity to do a play with him [Othello in 2009]."
Chastain added, "I'm telling this story now because it reminds me of how powerful our mind is and that we are what our thoughts create. So I just wanna tell everyone who might be struggling at home, to all the actors that I get to meet: Keep going. You're one job away. I look forward to working with you. I'll see you on set. I love you."
Jamie Lee Curtis Gives a Shoutout to Her Parents
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While accepting the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Jamie Lee Curtis took the chance to honor her late actor parents.
"I'm wearing the wedding ring that my father gave my mother. They hated each other, by the way, by the end of it," she said with a laugh, referencing her movie star parents Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. "But my sister Kelly and I were born from love. My father was from Hungary and my mother was from Denmark, and they had nothing and they became these monstrous stars in this industry. My parents were actors. And I married an actor [Christopher Guest]."
"I love actors. I love acting. I love the job we get to do. I love being a part of a crew. I love being part of a cast. I love what we do with each other. It's such a beautiful job. And I know that so many people in our industry who are actors who don't get to do this job and you look at nights like this and think 'Is that ever going to be possible for me?' And I know you look at me and think 'Well, nepo baby, that's why she's there' — and I totally get it. But the truth of the matter is I'm 64 years old and this is just amazing!"
Concluding her speech, Curtis said, "What a f---ing dream, man."
Aubrey Plaza and Jenna Ortega Own the Podium
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When Jenna Ortega and Aubrey Plaza stepped on stage to present the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or limited series, they revealed they just might be more alike than different.
After taking a moment standing at the podium, Plaza finally said, "I don't know why they paired us up together," as they two maintained comedically straight faces.
"I know, we have nothing in common," the Wednesday star replied as the audience continued to laugh at their similar vibes.
"We should find the people who did this," Plaza said, before the two actors simultaneously recited, "And curse their families and watch as misfortune follows their bloodline for the next seven generations."
"Okay, I see it now," Plaza joked.
Ke Huy Quan Makes History
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When Ke Huy Quan accepted his award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once on Sunday, he became the first Asian male to win a SAG Award for acting in a film.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Quan began. "This is a really emotional moment for me."
"Recently, I was told that if I would've won tonight, I would become the very first Asian actor to win in this category," he explained through tears. "When I heard this, I quickly realized that this moment no longer belongs to just me. It also belongs to everyone who has asked for change."
He then reflected on his decision to stop acting 20 years ago after first finding success as a child actor.
"When I stepped away from acting, it was because there were so few opportunities, and now tonight here we are, celebrating. The landscape looks so different now than before. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these changes. Thank you so much to SAG-AFTRA for this truly, truly prestigious honor."
He ended with a note of encouragement for aspiring actors: "Lastly, to all those at home who are watching and struggling, waiting to be seen, please keep on going because the spotlight will one day find you. Thank you everyone for rooting for me, I will be rooting for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Sally Field Receives the Life Achievement Award
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Sally Field's decades-long career was honored Sunday when she was given the SAG Life Achievement Award.
Presented by her Amazing Spider-Man costar Andrew Garfield, who gave a heartfelt tribute to the actress who played Aunt May to his Peter Parker, Field was sweetly accompanied to the stage by SAG Award nominee Austin Butler.
As she recalled first joining the Screen Actors Guild and getting her first acting role in the 1960s sitcom Gidget, the actress said she "never knew what I would say or do" while learning to act on stage growing up.
"I wasn't looking for the applause or the attention, even though that's nice ... sometimes," the actress said. "And it was never about a need to hide behind the characters of other people. Acting to me has always been about finding those few precious moments when I feel totally, utterly, sometimes dangerously alive. So the task has always been to find a way to get to that, to get to the work, to claw my way to it if necessary."
During her speech, Field commended other actors in the room for their own difficult journeys toward success, noting that her career's "fight, as hard as it was, was lightweight compared to some of yours."
After highlighting some of the roles she's played over the years, including "Mrs. Doubtfire's employer, Forrest Gump's mother, Lincoln's wife, and Spider-Man's aunt," Field concluded by expressing gratitude.
"There is not a day that I don't feel quietly thrilled to call myself an actor," she added. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for this great honor, from you, the people I most wanted respect from in my life. Actors."
Michelle Yeoh Wins — and Drops the F-Bomb
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As Michelle Yeoh accepted the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, the actress shared her unfiltered reaction to the honor.
"SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understands what it is to get here, every one of you knows the journey, the roller-coaster ride, the ups, and downs," Yeoh said. "But importantly, we never give up. I thank you for your love, for your support because I know I'm up against titans, rightly so."
Yeoh paused for a minute before letting out, "S---!" and turned away in tears.
The actress laughed and said "F---" as the crowd applauded.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is not just for me. This is for every little girl that looks like me. Sally Field, you said all the right things," she said referencing Field's acceptance speech. "We're here because we love what we do and we'll never stop doing this because we really, really love it. But thank you for giving me a seat at the table because so many of us need this."
James Hong Steals the Show
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While it was the ensemble cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once that took home the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, James Hong's castmates made sure the spotlight was shining brightly on him Sunday night.
As the audience rose for a standing ovation, the 94-year-old began his speech— at first, in Chinese.
"Actually, I said that because we might be broadcast in Hong Kong," Hong began. "And I hope next year the network won't change their mind and put us on again. So I got my first card, SAG card, and ... well anyway 70 years ago. My first movie was with Clark Gable."
Hong continued, "But back in those days, I have to tell you that the leading role was played by these guys with eyes taped up like this and they talk like this because the producer said the Asians were not good enough and they are not box office."
"But look at us now, huh?" Hong said as the crowd cheered.
Jessica Chastain falls on stage at the 2023 SAG Awards: ‘She did the JLaw fall’ https://t.co/KjMfu8qL4R
— New York Post (@nypost) February 27, 2023