Oppenheimer Movie Billboard in Times Square, NYC on July 29, 2023.
Adam Jeffery | CNBC
The historical epic “Oppenheimer” won more awards on Saturday at Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, boosting the film’s chances of winning the best picture trophy at next month’s Academy Awards.
The film about the struggle to build the first atomic bomb won the top honor – best film cast – handed out 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 Actor in a Motion Picture and co-star Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor.
Irish actor Murphy said he got into the profession after trying to make a career as a musician and often felt like an “interloper”.
“This is extremely special to me because it comes from you,” Murphy told his fellow actors as he accepted his award.
SAG-AFTRA’s selections are closely watched because actors make up the largest group of voters for the Academy Awards, the film industry’s top awards.
At the moment “Oppenheimer” appears unstoppable. Director Christopher Nolan’s drama has already won trophies at the Golden Globes, the British Academy Film Awards and other ceremonies. Prices from the Producers Guild of America, another key predictor of Oscar success, will be announced on Sunday.
In other SAG awards, the best actress trophy went to “Killers of the Flower Moon” star Lily Gladstone. Gladstone played a member of the Osage Native American community who suffered a series of murders in 1920s Oklahoma for their oil-rich land.
“My friends, fellow actors, I feel good about what you’ve done,” Gladstone said. “We’re bringing empathy to a world that so desperately needs it.”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph won Best Supporting Actress for her role as a grieving mother in “The Holdovers.” “How lucky we are to do what we do. I wake up every day grateful to be a working actor,” Randolph said.
The awards were streamed live on Netflix for the first time, part of the company’s efforts to expand its live programming.
SAG-AFTRA last year staged a four-month strike against Hollywood studios to fight for higher wages and protections from artificial intelligence.
“It’s especially important to be here with all of us together again for this occasion after I’ve had a very difficult time with the strike,” actor Idris Elba said in his opening remarks.
In the TV categories, FX restaurant drama “The Bear” won best cast in a TV comedy and acting honors for stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri.
“It’s a great honor to be in this community,” White said. “I wanted to be a part of this my whole life. I had no backup plan.”
HBO’s “Succession” secured the best TV drama cast for its final season about the battle for control of a family’s media dynasty.
Elizabeth Debicki, who played Princess Diana in the Netflix series “The Crown,” won best actress in a TV drama. “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, holding up his trophy. “I thought I might get drunk…just kidding. Thanks a lot!”
SAG-AFTRA also presented a lifetime honor to Barbra Streisand, the award-winning actress, producer, director, singer and author.