What awards ceremony, formerly known as the SAG AFTRA honors, changed its name to emphasize it's solely for actors, by actors, in March 2026?

The awards ceremony that transitioned from being known as the SAG AFTRA honors, or more commonly the Screen Actors Guild Awards, officially changed its name to the Actor Awards in March 2026. This rebranding, which was announced in November 2025, was a deliberate move to underscore the ceremony's unique identity as an event solely dedicated to recognizing exceptional performances by actors, for actors. The new name aims to provide clearer recognition for both domestic and global audiences about the show's core purpose: to honor actors in film and television.

Established in 1995, the Screen Actors Guild Awards quickly became a significant highlight of Hollywood's awards season, often serving as a strong predictor for the Academy Awards. What set these awards apart was their voting body, comprised entirely of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members. The iconic statuette presented to winners has always been called "The Actor," and the name change was a logical evolution to align the show's title with this beloved symbol.

The shift to the Actor Awards further emphasizes the ceremony's unique position in the entertainment industry. With a robust and diverse membership of over 160,000 performers, SAG-AFTRA boasts the largest voting body among major awards circuits. This ensures that the accolades truly reflect the peer recognition within the acting community. The ceremony continues its tradition of celebrating outstanding individual and ensemble performances in film and television, maintaining its spirit of actors honoring actors, now under a name that explicitly reflects this foundational principle.