The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA: A New Name for a Prestigious Honor
The Screen Actors Guild Awards are undergoing a transformation with a new name starting from the 32nd edition next year. The kudocast will now be known as “The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA,” aligning the name of the awards show with the iconic statue that is handed out to winners. The physical SAG Awards trophy has been affectionately referred to as “The Actor” since the inception of the ceremony in 1995.
Jon Brockett, the showrunner and executive producer of the telecast, expressed excitement about the name change, stating, “‘The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA’ gives viewers in 190-plus countries an immediate understanding of who we are and what we’re about.”
The decision to change the name of the SAG Awards was carefully considered by SAG-AFTRA, with the aim of providing clearer recognition for both domestic and global audiences. With the show now reaching a worldwide audience on Netflix, the timing felt right to make the alignment official and embrace this new chapter in the show’s evolution.
The new name not only emphasizes the focus on honoring actors in film and television but also highlights the full name of the union, SAG-AFTRA, which was formed after the SAG-AFTRA merger in 2012.
While the name change may pose challenges in terms of search engine optimization and name recognition, SAG-AFTRA assures that all other aspects of the awards, including voting, submissions, and eligibility, remain unchanged. The legacy and prestige of the awards ceremony will remain intact, ensuring that the show’s spirit and purpose continue to resonate with audiences.
The decision to rename the awards show was overseen by SAG-AFTRA’s awards committee and leadership, with the goal of highlighting the craft of acting and celebrating the talent within the industry.
“As an actor and a longtime SAG-AFTRA member, I’ve always loved that our show is actor-focused – actors voting for actors – because we understand innately the work that goes into a performance,” said JoBeth Williams, chair of the Awards Committee. “The Actor Awards makes that crystal clear to audiences everywhere: when they tune in, they know they’re going to see their favorite actors celebrated by those who truly know the craft.”
To coincide with the name change, a new website for the renamed ceremony, actorawards.org, has been launched, along with updated social media handles.
The 32nd Actor Awards will be broadcast live on March 1, 2026, on Netflix. The new name reflects a continued commitment to honoring the art of acting and celebrating the talent within the industry.
