The 2023 SAG Awards were handed out over the weekend in L.A., where memorable moments happened off-camera.
Fire Marshal Survey Causes A-List Traffic Jam
The 2023 Awards posted up for the first time in Century City inside the Fairmont Century Plaza, a hotel that has become a go-to host this awards season thanks to its supersized and recently renovated ballroom.
If you happened to be in the building Sunday night and thought you caught the scent of Tom Cruise, it’s entirely possible as the Top Gun: Maverick star was here just hours ago for the PGA Awards where he accepted the David O. Selznick Achievement Awards. It’s a shame Cruise couldn’t stick around because event organizers surely could have used his expert navigating skills to help direct traffic.
According to whispers, the fire marshal was on the scene instructing staff to hold the line and limit arrivals. Among those waiting were Jason Bateman and wife Amanda Anka with Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara (whose Women Talking co-star Claire Foy turned up and cut the line to join her alongside Garfield), and Austin Butler. The Elvis star, with several security guards in tow, was escorted to a side hallway to wait out the crush that lasted upwards of 10 minutes upon which time ticketed guests took the escalator down one floor only to wait another five to 10 minutes. Nominee (and winner) Ke Huy Quan made the most of the delay, receiving congratulations and granting requests for selfies.
SAG-AFTRA Foundation:
Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists
SAG-AFTRA Foundation president Courtney B. Vance tried to quiet attendees with less than 20 minutes to go before showtime. “I’m not going to start until you sit down,” said the veteran actor, who resorted to shushing hundreds of guests as they made their way to their seats. He had good reason to command the room’s attention: Vance broke major news that the organization will soon break ground on the Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists. The 15,000-square-foot facility will be located at SAG’s mid-city L.A. headquarters on Wilshire Boulevard. Per Vance from the podium, it will be “a world-class” venue that will be home to the union’s programs and services all under one roof. Set to open next year, it will include voiceover and on-camera recording studios, tech labs, instructional classrooms and more. With a name like the Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists, it also means that it has the blessing of the living legend. “Meryl Streep is a leader in our industry like few others. When she heard about our plans, she was proud to allow us to honor her in this way.”
Brendan Fraser and Sheryl Lee Ralph
The Meryl Streep Center will also feature what Vance called a “crown jewel” — the Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Screening Room. The “immersive and intimate” theater will be a “veritable hive of creative activity” and Vance praised the pair for their key support of the foundation as they, along with Streep, made it so the foundation “never missed a beat” when members needed them most. Vance then offered the room the chance to purchase one of the theater’s 100 seats. For $100,000, a bidder can get their name on a seat for lifetime, $10,000 for 10 years, $7,500 for five years or $5,000 for three years. The Whale star Brendan Fraser wasted no time in jumping up to commit to purchasing one, while Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph also raised her hand to get one.
Anti-Vax Protest Draws Several Dozen
As numerous black SUVs descended on the Fairmont Century Plaza, even tinted windows couldn’t obscure the view of a gaggle of protestors gathered on the four corners of the Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard intersection. There were several dozen of them and the purpose of the demonstration was to voice resistance to vaccine mandates on set. “Medical segregation is immoral,” read one sign while another said, “Medical freedom is a human right.” According to a press release issued Friday, the showing was organized by a group known as SAG-AFTRA Members Against Vax Mandates, a collaboration that is demanding “equal rights to work for all union members without discrimination for vax status.”
Spider-Men: Two Present
It was a big night for Sally Field, honored with a lifetime achievement award and humbled by a genuinely touching tribute from her Spider-Man co-star Andrew Garfield. But he wasn’t the only Peter Parker in the building. Tobey Maguire, nominated as part of the best ensemble cast from Damien Chazelle’s Babylon, watched as Garfield gushed about his Aunt May.
Damien Chazelle Gives Standing Ovation to Babylon Star
Speaking of Chazelle, he was the among the first to stand to give an absent Jean Smart a standing ovation for her win as best actress in a comedy for her work on Hacks. Smart, who stars as fictional film critic Elinor St. John in Chazelle’s film, as she is said to be recovering from a recent heart procedure.
Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone Curated SAG Awards Menu
Ever wonder what the stars eat at a major Hollywood awards show? The Awards featured menu created by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and his Curtis Stone Events and prepared by the Fairmont Century Plaza staff. It featured chicken and tarragon surrounded by a roasted winter vegetable salad of squash, baby carrots, pomegranate rutabaga, brown butter purée, ancient grains and fermented garlic sauce. To wash it all down, Cooper’s Hank Artist’s Red and White Blend wine, Purely Sedona still and sparkling water, Lallier champagne and Campari cocktails (that were delivered on trays by friendly servers during the commercial breaks).
Post-SAG Awards Hugs for All
After the Everything Everywhere All at Once cast closed the show, not all stars rushed for the exits. Some opted to catch up with fellow actors by offering congrats or taking a hug for the road. As the credits rolled, Cara Delevingne ran over to The Woman King nominee Viola Davis for a warm embrace. Andrew Garfield made a beeline to Brendan Gleeson and Paul Mescal, who were catching up not far from Colin Farrell. Outside the ballroom doors, Quinta Brunson caught up with The Bear star Ayo Edebiri and made sure to capture the moment by posing in the Instagram-ready backdrop created by Campari.
Abbott Elementary Cast Cuts Rug at Afterparty
