Sideways, Foxx, Swank top Screen Actors Guild honours

The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards gave the Oscar race a Sideways nudge on Saturday night at the Shrine Auditorium. Although its thr...

The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards gave the Oscar race a Sideways nudge on Saturday night at the Shrine Auditorium. Although its three individual nominees were shut out in their categories, the Oscar-nominated comedy claimed the best movie ensemble trophy after signs had been pointing toward boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. Earlier in the evening Hilary Swank had been named best actress, while Morgan Freeman won best supporting actor honors.

Jamie Foxx picked up his SAG best actor statuette to go with his Golden Globe for the title role in Ray, and once again opened his acceptance speech with the familiar strains of ‘‘What I Say.’’

Backstage, Foxx talked about the significance of his win. ‘‘It’s a beautiful milestone. … There are so many negative things that our African-American kids are influenced by. When you get a chance to do something positive, let it happen.’’

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Swank, who was also a Globe winner, said she was ‘‘amazed, lucky, thankful, speechless and, quite frankly, stunned to be a working actor. I also can’t believe I’m a working actor working with the legendary Clint Eastwood and the always amazing Morgan Freeman.’’ ‘‘My dream from childhood was to be here, talking to you,’’ Freeman said backstage. ‘‘Every time it’s just more cake, more icing, more goodies. And one day it’s over.’’

Cate Blanchett won the supporting actress award for The Aviator. It was that film’s only win out of three nominations. Playing the redheaded and freckled acting legend Katharine Hepburn in the film, Blanchett thanked the makeup person ‘‘who painted every single freckle on my face.’’

SAG also honored James Garner with its lifetime achievement award. Up until now, Million Dollar Baby and The Aviator had been Oscar front-runners, but the victory by Sideways may sway Academy voters.

However, the SAG ensemble winner has gone on to capture the Oscar only four times in the nine years since the category was created. The Oscars will be held on Feb. 27. Desperate Housewives continued its hot streak. The ABC hit series claimed best comedy series ensemble and actress in a comedy series for Teri Hatcher, coming on the heels of comparable Golden Globe wins.

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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation won the drama series ensemble prize over rivals 24,Six Feet Under,The Sopranos and The West Wing. ‘‘The only explanation for this is that somehow in the last year every one of you tried to act with rubber gloves and tweezers,’’ star William Petersen said, thanking the ‘‘fellowship of gypsies’’ for the honor.

Jennifer Garner, who has drawn attention on red carpets and for her relationship with Ben Affleck, won recognition for her action-packed role in the drama series Alias. —NYT

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