SAG Awards renamed The Actor Awards by SAG-AFTRA after 30 years
The long-running Screen Actors Guild Awards has now adopted a new title in line with its signature statue and union merger, reflecting its evolving identity while maintaining core values and traditions.
After three decades under its original title, the Screen Actors Guild Awards is undergoing a significant name change. Starting this year, the event will be known as the Actors Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA. The decision aligns the awards show’s title with its signature statuette, The Actor, recognizing the merger between SAG and AFTRA in 2012. The updated name is intended to more accurately represent the 160,000 members of the combined unions who participate in selecting the winners.
SAG-AFTRA officials have insisted This change is a natural evolution for the awards. He noted that the statue distributed each year has always been called The Actor, and the new name brings the event’s identity in line with the award it celebrates. “SAG-AFTRA and show officials say their statue has always been called The Actor, so this move evolves to align the show’s name with the actual award.”
In a statement quoted by deadline, John Brockett, showrunner and executive producer of The Actor Awards, explained the reason behind the name change. He said, “Since the beginning, our icon has been called ‘The Actor’ and our show is all about the actors, so this new name is a perfect next step in the show’s evolution. The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA give audiences in more than 190 countries an immediate understanding of who we are and what we are about.”
To facilitate a smooth transition for the studio and network, the guild will allow legacy Screen Actors Guild Awards branding to use For Your Consideration campaign content during the pre-nomination voting period for the current season ending January 5, 2026. After this date, the organization will encourage everyone to refer to the event as The Actor Awards. Organizers stressed that apart from the name, no other changes were made to the voting procedures, eligibility or presentation of the event.
The awards committee, chaired by Jobeth Williams, played a central role in the decision. Williams commented on the importance of Rebranding for the acting communityShe said, “As an actress and longtime SAG-AFTRA member and chair of the awards committee, I’ve always loved that our show is actor-centric – actors voting for actors – because we inherently understand the work that goes into a performance,” “The Actors Awards makes it crystal clear to audiences everywhere: When they tune in, they know they’ll see their favorite actors celebrated by people who really know this craft,”
The committee has closely guided the process, ensuring that the new title continues to reflect the spirit of the original awards while providing clarity for audiences around the world. Previous recipients may continue to refer to their awards as SAG Awards, but producers hope to gradually adopt the new terminology, indicating that the Academy Awards are often popularly referred to as the Oscars.
The 32nd annual The Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, is set to announce its nominations for the film and television categories on January 7, 2026. The ceremony will premiere on March 1 on Netflix, marking the first presentation of the awards under the new name.
With the name change, SAG-AFTRA aims to fully unify its unified identity and strengthen the central role of actors in the awards process.
