The Actor Awards—formerly known as theSAG Awards—is coming up onSunday, Mar. 1. But you may be wondering, why did the awards show change their name?
InNovember2025, SAG-AFTRA announced that, starting in 2026, the Screen Actors Guild Awards will now be known as "The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA."
According to the organization, the change was made to align the name of the awards show with the name of the statue that's handed out—like theOscars, Emmys,GrammysandGolden Globes. The trophy given out at the SAG Awards has been known as the "Actor" since the inaugural ceremony in 1995.
"Since the beginning, our statue has been called 'The Actor' and we're a show that's entirely about actors, so this new name is a perfect next step in the show's evolution," saidJon Brockett, executive producer of the awards show, according toDeadline. "'The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA' gives viewers in 190-plus countries an immediate understanding of who we are and what we're about."
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According to an FAQ published by SAG-AFTRA, the name change had been in the works for a long time prior to the announcement. The idea gained traction after the live broadcast of the ceremony moved toNetflixin 2023, given that international audiences may not be familiar with what "SAG" means.
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"We wanted to provide clearer recognition in terms of what the show is about for our domestic and global audiences – we honor actors in film and television," SAG-AFTRA said. "Laser-focusing the name on those two things became the clearest and most straightforward path for this new chapter of the show… and, as the show's global audience expanded through Netflix, the timing felt right to make the alignment official and step confidently into the show's next era."
However, despite the name change, the organization clarified they're okay with past award winners referring to their recognition as a "SAG Award."
"We understand there will be a period of transition where people—past winners and audiences included—will still refer to their award and the show as the SAG Awards, and that's OK," they said in the FAQ. "We know it'll take time to adjust to the change."
The 2026 Actor Awards will be held onSunday, Mar. 1 and will stream live on Netflix.
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This story was originally published byParadeon Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.