With actors making up the biggest proportion of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, the Screen Actors Guild is always seen as a useful pointer to who might collect the Oscar.
This year’s “Actor” winners have already picked up nominations in other awards ceremonies, so the SAG Award is likely to boost their momentum.
Jeff Bridges is emerging as a favourite in the race for Best Leading Actor, for his role in Crazy Heart, after being honoured by his peers.
SAG picked Sandra Bullock as their Best Leading Actress for her upcoming film A Blind Side.
Christoph Waltz won the Best Supporting Actor prize for playing the Jew Hunter in Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.
The Best Supporting Actress award – like many before it – went to Mo’Nique, as the abusive mother in Precious.
Perhaps less convincing as a guide to Oscar success is SAG’s equivalent of the Best Picture prize – for the best ensemble performance by a cast. It went to Inglourious Basterds.
SAG also honours TV.
Michael C Hall repeated his recent Golden Globe success with the Best Dramatic Actor for Dexter. SAG also went the same way as the Globes for the Best Comic Actor, choosing Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock.
His co-star Tina Fey won the Best Comic Actress award and Julianna Margulies picked up the Best Dramatic Actress for the debut season of The Good Wife.