Oppenheimer movie billboard in Times Square, New York on July 29, 2023.
Adam Jeffrey | CNBC
The historical epic “Oppenheimer” won multiple awards Saturday at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in Hollywood, boosting the film’s chances of landing the best picture trophy at next month’s Oscars.
The film about the race to build the first atomic bomb took the top honor – best motion picture cast – awarded by members of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA at a red carpet ceremony in Los Angeles.
Cillian Murphy, who played scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, won best film actor and co-star Robert Downey Jr. won best supporting actor.
Irish actor Murphy said he entered the profession after trying to make a career as a musician and often felt like an “intruder”.
“This is extremely special to me because it comes from you guys,” Murphy told his fellow actors while accepting the award.
SAG-AFTRA’s picks are closely monitored because actors make up the largest group of voters for the Academy Awards, the film industry’s biggest awards.
At the moment “Oppenheimer” seems unstoppable. Director Christopher Nolan’s drama has already won trophies at the Golden Globes, the British Academy Film Awards and other ceremonies. Awards from the Producers Guild of America, another key factor in Oscar success, will be announced Sunday.
Among other SAG awards, the trophy for best actress went to Lily Gladstone, star of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Gladstone played a member of the Osage Native American community who suffered a series of murders in 1920s Oklahoma due to their oil-rich land.
“My friends, fellow actors, I feel the good in what you have done,” Gladstone said. “We bring empathy to a world that needs it so much.”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the supporting actress award for playing a grieving mother in “The Holdovers.” “How lucky we are to do what we do. I wake up every day overwhelmed with gratitude to be a working actor,” Randolph said.
The awards streamed live on Netflix for the first time, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its live programming.
Last year SAG-AFTRA organized a four-month strike against Hollywood studios to fight for higher wages and protection from artificial intelligence.
“It is particularly meaningful to be here with us all together again, for this occasion, after having gone through a very difficult time due to the strike,” said the actor Idris Elba at the opening.
In television categories, FX restaurant comedy-drama “The Bear” earned best ensemble in a television comedy and acting honors for stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri.
“I am so honored to be in this community,” White said. “I wanted to be a part of this my whole life. I didn’t have a backup plan.”
HBO’s “Succession” has secured the best cast in television for its final season about the battle for control of one family’s media dynasty.
Elizabeth Debicki, who played Princess Diana in the Netflix series “The Crown,” won the award for best television actress. “The Last of Us” star Pedro Pascal was named best actor in a television drama and appeared stunned when he took the stage.
“I’m a little drunk,” Pascal said as he held the trophy in his hand. “I thought I was getting drunk… I’m making a fool of myself. Thank you so much!”
SAG-AFTRA also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbra Streisand, the award-winning actress, producer, director, singer and writer.