SAG Awards Take on Diversity Issue

Idris Elba poses in the press room with the award for outstanding male actor in a supporting role for “Beasts of No Nation” and the award for outstanding male actor in a TV movie or miniseries for “Luther” at the 22nd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, Jan. 30, 2016.

On Saturday night, Hollywood’s glitterati gathered at the 22nd annual Screen Actors’ Guild Awards and what a diverse night it turned out to be.

But perhaps most notable at the star-studded ceremony were the number of black actors honored as Hollywood reels from a fierce backlash over the lack of diversity in the Oscar nominations.

For the second straight year, Orange is the New Black doubled down, as Uzo Aduba repeated as best female in a comedy.

When Leonardo DiCaprio, 41, picked up the award for best actor in a leading role for his performance in The Revenant, he was congratulated by Titanic co-star and longtime friend Kate Winslet who gave him a warm, generous hug on his way to the stage. The SAG Awards do not separate television performances between lead and supporting, so all actors are nominated in the same cateogry. They added: “This is what we talk about when we talk about diversity”.

He said: “I am truly humbled by this because it comes from my fellow actors”.

Winners Saturday night included black actors Uzo Aduba, Queen Latifah, Viola Davis and Idris Elba for their critically acclaimed work in TV and film. Over the years he’s had numerous nominations so winning he said was very special: “We all stand on the shoulders of giants, so I want thank all those actors from the past who have inspired me and all those actors who are in this room”.

The actor took home a gong for Luther in the TV Movie/Miniseries category, followed by another win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Beast Of No Nation. This was his first SAG award.

Jeffrey Tambor won best comedy series actor for playing Maura Pfefferman, an aging wealthy transgender woman in Amazon’s Transparent. Kevin Spacey won his second SAG Award for “House of Cards” – another win for Netflix on the night. The two joined forces to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Carol Burnett (and knocked DiCaprio down a few pegs with a hilarious bit at his expense).

Fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones”, which is all set for the premiere of its sixth season later this year, was given the award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series.