The 2026 Actor Awards proved to be a night to remember as Hollywood stars descended upon LA’s Shrine Auditorium to celebrate the greatest performances of the last year.
Viewers that tuned into the Netflix livestream got their fix of A-listers, with the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Harrison Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson taking the stage.
Kristen Bell returned as host for a third time as 15 awards across film and TV were handed out.
And with a nearly three-hour runtime, Sunday’s ceremony produced countless jaw-dropping clips that quickly gained traction on social media.
From Viola Davis‘s victory yell for Outstanding Actor winner Michael B. Jordan to Seth Rogen‘s emotional tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara, the Daily Mail has rounded up the night’s most viral moments.
Viola Davis was among the stars who helped create the most viral moments of the 2026 Actor Awards
Kristen Bell’s time as host produced a ‘cringe’ stage performance that divided fans on social media
Viola Davis the Michael B. Jordan superfan
Sinners star Michael B. Jordan might have been shocked when he beat out Marty Supreme’s Timothee Chalamet in the competitive Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category.
But the award’s presenter, Oscar-winner Viola Davis, certainly was not.
The 60-year-old let out several joyous yells after opening the envelope and revealing Jordan as the winner.
Davis gave Jordan a huge hug backstage, along with Samuel L. Jackson, as he appeared shellshocked in the wake of the triumph.
Viola Davis’ excited reaction to Michael B. Jordan’s win was among the most viral moments of the 2026 ceremony
The Sinner star showed off his trophy backstage and posed for photos with Davis and Samuel L. Jackson
Seth Rogen’s tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara
During the ceremony, Seth Rogen stepped up to accept the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series on behalf of the late Catherine O’Hara, calling it a ‘very sad honor.’
O’Hara, who passed away in late January at the age of 71 from a pulmonary embolism caused by rectal cancer, delivered her final brilliant performance in The Studio, bringing her signature wit and charm to character Patty Leigh.
Rogen delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing the actress as a performer who commanded respect and admiration from her peers, while the SAG-AFTRA audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation.
‘I know she would have been humbled to receive this award from her fellow performers, who she admired so much,’ he said, his voice breaking as the camera panned to a tearful Kathryn Hahn.
The emotional moment continued as attendees like Jenna Ortega, who starred alongside O’Hara in Beetlejuice and was nominated in the same category, dabbed at their eyes during the speech.
O’Hara made history as the first woman in the Screen Actors Guild to earn an individual trophy posthumously.
She had also been honored as an ensemble member in The Studio and previously won in the category for the final season of Schitt’s Creek.
Catherine O’Hara left Hollywood in tears at the 2026 Actor Awards as her posthumous win for The Studio was accepted by co-star Seth Rogen; (O’Hara pictured in 2019)
Rogen stepped up to accept the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series on behalf of the late star, calling it a ‘very sad honor’
‘I know she would have been humbled to receive this award from her fellow performers, who she admired so much,’ he said, his voice breaking as the camera panned to a tearful Kathryn Hahn
The case of Gwyneth Paltrow’s missing earring
Gwyneth Paltrow was among the best dressed stars on the red carpet at the 2026 Actor Awards.
But when the Oscar-winner joined the cast of Marty Supreme on stage during the three-hour ceremony, she suffered a rare fashion mishap.
One of Paltrow’s dangling earrings was noticeably missing from her left ear as she, Timothee Chalamet, Odessa A’zion and Tyler, The Creator addressed the star-studded crowd.
However, Paltrow appeared totally unbothered by her missing accessory and she didn’t let it stop her from posing for pictures with her Hollywood peers.
When Gwyneth Paltrow joined the cast of Marty Supreme on stage during the three-hour ceremony, she suffered a rare fashion mishap
One of Paltrow’s dangling earrings was noticeably missing from her left ear
The ladies of NBC’s The Office reunite
13 years after The Office went off the air, co-stars Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer and Ellie Kemper reunited on stage at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles.
The ladies presented the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award to Seth Rogen and the cast of the Apple TV+ series The Studio.
The Office aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013 on NBC.
Kaling, who was also a writer/producer on the show, famously played Kelly Kapoor, Kinsey played Angela Martin, Fischer played Pam Beesly and Kemper played Erin Hannon.
13 years after The Office went off the air, co-stars Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer and Ellie Kemper reunited on stage at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles
Teyana Taylor’s daughter steals the show
Teyana Taylor may have been among the night’s most popular nominees but it was her daughter Rue Rose Shumpert who stole the spotlight at the 2026 Actor Awards.
The five-year-old, whom Taylor shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert, first went viral for playing stylist to her mom as she fixed her gown on the red carpet.
Rue Rose’s personality had even more opportunity to shine once the ceremony began.
Seated next to Taylor at the reserved table for the One Battle After Another cast, Rue Rose made a slew of hilarious faces as awards were handed out.
At one point, she appeared to let out a joyous scream that caught the immediate attention of Oscar-winner Emma Stone.
Teyana Taylor may have been among the night’s most popular nominees but it was her daughter Rue Rose Shumpert who stole the spotlight on Sunday
Seated next to Taylor at the reserved table for the One Battle After Another cast, Rue Rose made a slew of hilarious faces as awards were handed out
At one point, she appeared to let out a joyous scream that caught the immediate attention of Oscar-winner Emma Stone
Tearful Harrison Ford gives shout-out to longtime wife
Harrison Ford delivered an emotional speech while accepting the Life Achievement honor at Sunday’s ceremony.
Ford, 83, was presented the special award by close friend Woody Harrelson, who described the Star Wars alum as an ‘iconic actor’ that has ‘an indescribable energy he brings to everything he does.’
Ford gave a sweet tribute to his actress wife Calista Flockhart, 61, whom he tied the knot with in 2010.
At one point, Ford expressed gratitude to his ‘extraordinary, beautiful wife’ as well as his family.
The camera quickly jumped to the Ally McBeal actress as she lovingly watched her husband on stage with tears in her eyes.
‘Who have given me love and courage through all of it,’ he continued as the star-studded audience broke out into applause.
Harrison Ford, 83, teared up as he emotionally accepted the Life Achievement honor at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday
At one point, Ford expressed gratitude to his ‘extraordinary, beautiful wife’ as well as his family
Kristen Bell’s ‘cringe’ musical number
Actor Awards host Kristen Bell‘s opening monologue left A-listers baffled as it quickly devolved into a ‘cringe’ musical number.
After marveling at the ceremony’s rebrand from the ‘SAG Awards’ to the ‘Actor Awards,’ the actress burst into a song about celebrity stage names.
She went on to expose Marilyn Monroe, Emma Stone, Vin Diesel and more for their fake monikers.
Accompanied by a trio of backup singers and a band, Bell sang, ‘I feel like the people in this room could be doing so much more with their stage names.
‘For instance, Emily Stone chose Emma Stone but don’t worry Emma you’re not alone. Like to Britt [Lower] or to Ted [Danson] or Billy Bob [Thornton] instead.’
The camera flashed to Stone, Lower, Danson, Bell’s former The Good Place co-star, and Thornton as their names were shouted out by Bell.
While both Stone and Lower offered polite smiles, Danson and Thornton looked on awkwardly from their seats as Bell called out more celebrity names at rapid fire.
Actor Awards host Kristen Bell’s opening monologue left A-listers baffled as it quickly transformed devolved into a ‘cringe’ musical number
Celebrities like Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Wiig looked on awkwardly as they unexpecedly found themselves pulled into Bell’s ‘cringe’ musical bit
Hamnet director Chloe Zhao’s ‘confused’ reaction
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs had the crowd in stitches as they did a sketch about Hamnet during the 2026 Actor Awards.
The duo joked they played ‘two provincial nobles who were inbred’ in the emotionally-charged drama as they took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series.
While the bit got the crowd laughing, it may not have won over it’s director, Chloe Zhao – who was seen flashing an uneasy smile when the camera panned to her.
The less than enthusiastic response did not go unnoticed by netizens.
‘Chloe Zhao not finding it funny at all, I’m dying,’ one X user posted.
‘Poor Chloe Zhao looked so confused by comedy,’ another posted.
Hamnet won one of the three Actor Awards it was up for on Sunday evening – Jessie Buckley earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal as William Shakespeare’s wife Agnes.
The film was also up for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Paul Mescal.
Hamnet director Chloe Zhao flashed an uneasy smile that did not go unnoticed by viewers as she watched her film receive the sketch treatment at the Actor Awards
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs joked they played inbred provincial nobles in Hamnet in scenes that ended up being cut
Bowen Yang’s message from Antarctica
Bowen Yang was a no-show at the 2026 Actor Awards on Sunday, but it wasn’t because of the usual excuses about scheduling conflicts.
Instead, the 35-year-old former Saturday Night Live star couldn’t make it because he was ‘stuck in Antarctica.’
Yang had been scheduled to present at the ceremony, but Kathryn Hahn, 52, revealed that she was his last-minute fill-in.
She was joined by Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie, who was fresh off hosting SNL for the first time the previous night.
The two strolled on stage early in the show to present the first award of the night for Female Actor in a Drama Series.
But before they got down to business, Hahn said she had a ‘confession’ to make.
‘First of all, I wasn’t even supposed to be presenting this award,’ Hahn admitted. ‘Right now, I am Bowen Yang. Because he is casually stuck in Antarctica.’
That normally would have sounded like an outlandish claim, but she and Storrie arrived with proof: a selfie Yang had snapped from Antarctica, which was projected on the massive screen behind them.
The comedian framed his photo to reveal the sea behind him and a picturesque glacier bridge in the distance.
He was bundled up against the cold in a thick red coat, and he had a black fleece hood under it that was pulled up around his face.
‘Yeah, no, that’s for real,’ Hahn added comically as Storrie pointed up toward the screen.
Hahn did share any details about why Yang was in Antarctica, but The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that he had travel issues when it was time to leave the continent.
Bowen Yang was a no-show at the 2026 Actor Awards on Sunday , but it wasn’t because of the usual excuses about scheduling conflicts. Instead, the 35-year-old former Saturday Night Live star couldn’t make it because he was ‘stuck in Antarctica’
Yang had been scheduled to present at the ceremony, but Kathryn Hahn, 52, revealed that she was his last-minute fill-in. She was joined by Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie, who was fresh off hosting SNL for the first time the previous night
‘First of all, I wasn’t even supposed to be presenting this award. Right now, I am Bowen Yang. Because he is casually stuck in Antarctica,’ Hahn admitted before a selfie of Yang in front of a glacier was projected behind her
Michael J Fox with his look-alike son
Michael J Fox was among the acting legends to attend Sunday night’s Actor Awards in LA.
And he brought along his look-alike son Sam, 36, as his date.
The ceremony traditionally opens with monologues from several of the assembled stars, who tell stories about their time in their profession and then close by stating their names and saying: ‘I am an actor.’
Fox, 64, who has received wide admiration for his dignified battle with Parkinson’s disease and advocacy for its sufferers, got such a massive round of applause when the camera alighted on him that he had to pause the start of his speech.
He proceeded to tell a story about how his acting career resulted in his introduction to his wife and Family Ties co-star Tracy Pollan, with whom he has four children.
The Back to the Future legend then pointed to Sam, who was seated next to him, and quipped: ‘By the way, he’s not an actor, he’s just my date.’
He added a heartwarming extra few words to the traditional closer of the monologue, saying: ‘I’m Michael J. Fox and a dad, and I’m an actor.’
Michael J Fox was among the acting legends to attend Sunday night’s Actor Awards in LA
And he brought along his look-alike son Sam, 36, as his date
Actor Awards 2026 winners
FILM
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Hamnet (Focus Features)
Marty Supreme (A24)
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros) – WINNER
Michael B. Jordan led Sinners to two of the biggest wins of the night
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet – WINNER
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Chase Infinity – One Battle After Another
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Jessie Buckley was recognized for her work in Hamnet
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners – WINNER
Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Miles Caton – Sinners
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Paul Mescal – Hamnet
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme
Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
Amy Madigan – Weapons – WINNER
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Amy Madigan was honored for her work in thriller Weapons
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
F1 (Apple Original Films)
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount) – WINNER
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros)
TELEVISION
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
Landman (Paramount+)
The Pitt (HBO Max) – WINNER
Severance (Apple TV)
The White Lotus (HBO)
Noah Wyle and The Pitt were massive winners on the television drama side
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Walton Goggins – The White Lotus
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Noah Wyle – The Pitt – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Britt Lower – Severance
Parker Posey – The White Lotus
Keri Russell – The Diplomat – WINNER
Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
The Bear (FX/Hulu)
Hacks (HBO Max)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
The Studio (Apple TV) – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This
Ted Danson – Inside Man
Seth Rogen – The Studio – WINNER
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
Seth Rogen’s The Studio swept the television comedy portion
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kathryn Hahn – The Studio
Catherine O’Hara – The Studio – WINNER
Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
Jean Smart – Hacks
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jason Bateman – Black Rabbit
Owen Cooper – Adolescence – WINNER
Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Matthew Rhys – The Beast In Me
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Claire Danes – The Beast In Me
Erin Doherty – Adolescence
Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Christine Tremarco – Adolescence
Michelle Williams – Dying For Sex – WINNER
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Andor (Disney+)
Landman (Paramount+)
The Last of Us (HBO) – WINNER
Squid Game (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
