The Screen Actors Guild handed out awards for the 17th time tonight with The King's Speech and The Fighter each taking home two wins. Tom Hooper's The King's Speech won awards in the "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture" (more or less, SAG's equivalent to the Academy's "Best Picture" category ) and "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role" for Colin Firth. Meanwhile, David O. Russell's The Fighter dominated the supporting categories by landing "Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role" awards for both Christian Bale and Melissa Leo. In what should be (in my opinion, at least) an open-shut case for the Academy, Natalie Portman was awarded "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role" for her stellar work in Black Swan.
For those wondering what, if any, effect the SAG Awards may have on the eventual Academy Awards, it's important to note that the event is believed to be a better gauge of Oscar winners than its most recent predecessor (the Golden Globes). This is because the Screen Actors Guild is comprised mostly of American actors (the largest branch of the Academy) as opposed to the Globes which is made-up of a smaller group of foreign journalists known as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Long story short (though certainly not etched in stone), look for The King's Speech to take home Best Picture next month.
Hit the jump to check out the complete list of winners (television included) from the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE: The King's Speech
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Colin Firth for The King's Speech
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Natalie Portman for Black Swan
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Christian Bale for The Fighter
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Melissa Leo for The Fighter
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES: Modern Family
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES: Boardwalk Empire
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Betty White for Hot in Cleveland
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Julianna Margulies for The Good Wife
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES: Al Pacino for You Don't Know Jack
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES: Claire Danes for Temple Grandin