ShareThisThe race to the Academy Awards kicked off in earnest with last Sunday's Golden Globe Awards.
While many see the Globes as a bellwether for the Oscars, a more accurate predictor may be the Screen Actors Guild Awards, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. EST from the venerable Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The 16th annual SAG Awards will be simulcast on TNT and TBS.
Unlike the Globes or the Oscars, the SAG Awards focus solely on acting and stunt work. No cinematographers, costume designers or directors need apply.
Last year, three SAG Award winners went on to win acting Oscars. Sean Penn won an Actor and Oscar for his lead role in "Milk," the late Heath Ledger won both awards for his supporting role in "The Dark Knight" and Kate Winslet won two different awards for the same role in "The Reader." The Screen Actors Guild considered her performance as former SS guard Hanna Schmitz as a supporting role, while Oscar voters honored her in the lead-actress category.
And although the Screen Actors Guild doesn't give out an award for Best Picture, it does honor the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Last year's winner was the cast for "Slumdog Millionaire," which went on to win the Best Picture Oscar.
Several film stars could win multiple awards Saturday night. Four are nominated both for their supporting roles and for their work by a cast in their films: Penelope Cruz in "Nine," Monique in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" and Diane Kruger and Cristoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds."
Three others are nominated for lead roles and for their work by a cast: Carey Mulligan in "An Education," Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker" and Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious."
Like the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards also honor television acting. George Clooney won four Actors between 1996-1999 for his ensemble work in the television drama series, "ER." He is vying this year for his first film Actor for his lead role in "Up in the Air."
Three performers who won Actors for movie roles more than 10 years ago will be competing against each other Saturday night, trying to win their first Actor for their television work.
Kevin Bacon won a film Actor in 1996 for his work in the cast of "Apollo 13." He could win his first TV Actor Saturday for his performance in the HBO television movie, "Taking Chance."
Cuba Gooding Jr. is nominated for his performance in the TNT television movie, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story." He won a film Actor in 1997 for his supporting role in "Jerry McGuire."
Tom Wilkinson won back-to-back Actors in 1998-99 for his work in the casts of "The Full Monty" and "Shakespeare in Love." He is nominated for his performance in the HBO film, "A Number."
Ruby Dee, who won an Actor in 2008 for her supporting role in "American Gangster," is also trying to win her first TV Actor. She is nominated for her performance in the film, "America," which appeared on the Lifetime network.
Among the celebrities expected to present awards Saturday are Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Chris O'Donnell, Anna Paquin, Stanley Tucci, Jane Lynch and Michelle Monaghan.
In addition, Betty White, 88, will receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, honoring her 60-plus-year career on stage, radio, TV and film and her humanitarian accomplishments, especially on behalf of animal rights.
(E-mail David Nielsen at nielsend(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
