These stars certainly know what it takes to be an actor.
Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie and Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James announced the nominations for the 2026 Actor Awards —formerly the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards—on Jan. 7, announcing Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne and more as nominees for the March 1 ceremony.
Amid the announcements, Janelle and Connor didn't hold back on showing their love for all the worthy nominees, even doing a little dance for each male actor in a drama series nomination, which included Noah Wyle, Sterling K. Brown, Billy Crudup, Walton Goggins and Gary Oldman.
And naturally, stars wasted no time to emphasize what an honor it is to be nominated. Ariana Grande, who earned a Female Supporting Actor nod for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked: For Good, called the nod a "tremendous honor."
"I adore being part of this community and this acknowledgement means more than words can say," Ariana wrote in a Jan. 7 Instagram Story. "I share this and every good thing that ever happens with my Wicked family."
On top of those nominated for individual performances, Harrison Ford is set to receive the SAG-AFTRA Lifetime Achievement Award, the foundation’s highest honor for career performance and humanitarian efforts.
“Harrison Ford is a singular presence in American life; an actor whose iconic characters have shaped world culture,” SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said upon announcing the Indiana Jones alum’s achievement in a December statement. “His career has been endlessly exciting, always returning to his love of acting. We are honored to celebrate a legend whose impact on our craft is indelible.”
The voting for the upcoming SAG-AFTRA sanctioned awards will occur between Jan. 14 and Feb. 27, with the ceremony streaming live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET March 1.
Not only are the Actor Awards a huge honor for this year’s performances, but they are also an opportunity for Hollywood’s biggest stars to reflect on their humble beginnings. Last year, Demi Moore took home her first-ever Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role award for her role in The Substance, at which time she shared a touching reflection on her nearly 50 years as a card-carrying SAG member.
“I was 15, almost 16, and it changed my life because it gave me meaning,” the now-63-year-old said during the event. “It gave me purpose and it gave me direction, because I was a kid, on my own, who had no blueprint for life—and I certainly knew nothing about acting."
Indeed, when it came to finally earning recognition for a performance, Demi admitted, “The words are kind of beyond me, so I am just going to have to say just thank you.”
For every Actor Awards 2026 nominee’s reaction to their own honor, keep reading…
Leonardo DiCaprio—Male Actor in a Leading Role
"Thank you to my peers at SAG-AFTRA, it’s truly an honor to be recognized alongside this cast," Leo, an eight-time nominee, wrote in a statement. "Working with Chase [Infiniti], Sean [Penn], Benicio [del Toro], Teyana [Taylor], and Regina [King] was a masterclass in collaboration, and I’m deeply grateful to our casting director, Cassandra Kulukundis, for bringing us together. Congratulations to all the nominees—it’s a privilege to stand among you."
Matthew Rhys—Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Blackmail, extortion, and intimidation," the Beast in Me star joked in an Instagram Story, "are still strong currencies in Hollywood."
Chase Infiniti—Female Actor in a Leading Role
"Thank you to the Actor Awards and SAG-AFTRA for this incredible honor," Chase wrote in a statement. "To be recognized by my peers within this dynamic community of artists, a community that has so warmly welcomed me, is just beyond anything I could have ever dreamed up."
"Getting to play Willa was one of the greatest gifts and it is all thanks to the visionary Paul Thomas Anderson. I’m over the moon for Leo [DiCaprio], Benicio [del Toro], Sean [Penn], and Teyana [Taylor] for their nominations.
Congratulations to my fellow nominees Jessie [Buckley], Rose [Byrne], Kate [Hudson] and Emma [Stone]. All your performances completely blew me away this year and it is a deep honor to be nominated alongside you all.”
Paul Mescal—Male Actor in a Supporting Role
This is mad! It is such a huge honour to be nominated for the first time at the Actor Awards, to be recognised by fellow actors is such a privilege and one I don’t take lightly," Paul wrote in a statement. "I love my job. I love actors. I loved every second of going to work with Chloé [Zhao], Jessie [Buckley], Emily [Watson], Jacobi [Jupe], Bodhi [Rae Breathnach], Olivia [Lynes], Joe [Alwyn], Noah [Jupe] and the whole cast. Thanks again SAG, this is a day I certainly won’t forget!”
Jessie Buckley—Female Actor in a Leading Role
"To be recognized by SAG, by fellow actors and artists I have loved and been inspired by for as long as I can remember, feels monumentally special," Jessie wrote in a statement. "I will keep saying this: I love being part of this village. I’m so grateful to Chloé [Zhao] for bringing together this extraordinary group of actors and humans to share in the deeply emotional experience of making this film. Paul [Mescal], Emily [Watson], Jacobi [Jupe], Noah [Jupe], Joe [Alwyn], and our entire cast- I share this with you. I am forever both lifted and grounded by you. Thank you.”
Seth Rogen—Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Best Ensemble
The Studio star and creator kept it short and sweet, writing in an Instagram Story, "Yay."
Ariana Grande—Female Actor in a Supporting Role
"Thank you so much for this tremendous honor @actorawards @sagaftra, for recognizing this performance a second year in a row, and for including me in this group of magnificent women," Ariana wrote in an Instagram Story after nominations. "I'm so so moved thank you... I adore being part of this community and this acknowledgement means more than words can say."
"I share this and every single good thing that ever happens, with my tremendously brillian Wicked family...being given the chance to play this role, and to do this work with such company, will always be the greatest gift of my life... I'm so depely grateful and honored...thank you!"
Teyana Taylor—Female Actor in a Supporting Role
The One Battle After Another actress posted the news to her Instagram Story alongside a head-exploding emoji, crying emojis, and several heart and rose emojis.
Amy Madigan—Female Actor in a Supporting Role
“I’ve had the privilege of being an actor for over forty years and, to be recognized by my peers today with my first nomination, is truly a pinch me moment," she said in a statement. "This journey of bringing Gladys to life in Zach Cregger’s WEAPONS, along with seeing and experiencing the response from audiences, press, critics—and now my fellow actors—is something I am so incredibly thankful for."
The Field of Dreams alum went on to share the honor with the Weapons director and fellow cast.
"I never would have thought when Zach and I met for lunch to discuss the role that I’d be here today, expressing my gratitude to my fellow SAG-AFTRA members for this recognition," she continued. "Zach’s original vision, along with our incredible hair, makeup, prosthetics and costume teams, helped me in my process of creating and becoming Gladys. But it’s working opposite scene partners like Julia [Garner], Josh [Brolin], Cary [Christopher], Benedict [Wong], Alden [Ehrenreich], Austin [Abrams], Toby [Huss], Clayton [Farris], Whitmer [Thomas], Callie [Schuttera] and the best group of young actors that made that experience even better. A huge thank you to our casting director Allison Jones, along with the entire crew. I share this honor with all of you!”
Aimee Lou Wood—Female Actor in a Drama Series
In response to her nomination for The White Lotus, Aimee shared the news to her Instagram, adding, "!!!! wow"
Christine Tremarco—Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
The Adolescence star shared a slew of star emojis on her Instagram Story in response to her nomination.