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Key moments from the SAGs: Clean sweep for Everything Everywhere All at Once and actors cheer each other on

The chances of Everything Everywhere All at Once scooping an Oscar or two are looking good following the SAGs. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Everything Everywhere All at Once has won big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAGs).

The SAGs are the last major awards show before the Oscars and are considered the most reliable predictor of the Oscars race.

Jamie Lee Curtis was the first actor from the movie to win an award when she stepped up to receive the SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

Jamie Lee Curtis won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

"I love actors. I love acting," Curtis said.

"It's such a beautiful job. And I know that so many people in our industry who are actors don't get to do this job."

Curtis, whose parents are both actors, said she was wearing the wedding ring her father gave to her mother.

"I know you look at me and think 'well, nepo baby, that's why she's there' and I totally get it," she said.

"But the truth of the matter is that I'm 64 years old and this is just amazing."

It was the second time that night she referenced her 'nepo baby' status.

Short for nepotism baby, a nepo baby is the child of an actor, musician or entertainment industry insider who has benefited from the connections or fame their parents have in launching their own careers.

Everything Everywhere All at Once also won the final award of the evening – Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Ninety-four-year-old James Hong took centre stage after Michelle Yeoh introduced him by saying he had been acting since there were only 49 States in America.

She said getting him on that stage was 69 years in the making.

The first few words out of his mouth required translating as he later explained that he was directing that part of his speech to a Hong Kong audience. Hong also spoke about the first movie he'd acted in.

"The producers said the Asians were not good enough and they are not box office.

"But look at us now, huh!" he said to rapturous applause.

This could have marked the end of his speech, but he went on.

"We're not all Chinese but Jamie Lee is a good Chinese name," he quipped.

Ke Huy Quan won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once. (AP: Chris Pizzello)

Ke Huy Quan won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for the film.

"Recently, I was told that if I were to win tonight," Quan said.

"I would become the very first Asian actor to win in this category.

"When I heard this, I quickly realised that this moment no longer belongs to just me. It also belongs to everyone who has asked for change."

In a room of actors speaking to actors, he was one of many to encourage his peers to keep going.

"To all those at home who are watching or struggling and waiting to be seen, please keep on going because the spotlight will one day find you."

Michelle Yeoh accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once.  (AP: Chris Pizzello)

Michelle Yeoh beat Australian Cate Blanchett to win Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. There was much support for Yeoh in the room.

"If I speak, my heart will explode," Yeoh said.

"Every one of you know the journey, the roller coaster ride, the ups and downs … I know I'm up against titans.

"Thank you for giving me a seat at the table, because so many of us need this.

"We want to be seen. We want to be heard. And tonight, you have shown us that it is possible."

Yeoh dropped the F-bomb before wrapping up her speech.

Brendan Fraser won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for The Whale.

"Believe me, if you just stay in there and put one foot in front of the other," he said.

"You'll get where you need to go."

Small-screen winners

F. Murray Abraham brought attention to some of the world's most recent tragedies when The White Lotus won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

"I'd like to send a prayer out to the earthquake victims in Syria and Türkiye and a prayer for peace in Ukraine and Russia," he said.

 "Union forever!"

The White Lotus was a winner at the SAGs. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Jennifer Coolidge won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for The White Lotus.

Coolidge received a standing ovation when she took to the stage to receive her award.

"I want you all to know, I am just so grateful, so grateful," Coolidge said.

"I have these amazing parents, and they have this incredible gift.

"It was impossible for them to lie. they just couldn't do it."

Jennifer Coolidge says watching Charlie Chaplin as a child fostered her love for the Arts. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

She then traced her love of acting to having her father pretending she was sick so he could sneak her out of school to see a Charlie Chaplin film.

Earlier, Abbott Elementary's Quinta Brunson joked that she was only halfway through the second season of The White Lotus and couldn't wait to see what Coolidge did in season three. Without getting into spoiler territory, it's unlikely Coolidge will be back for a third season.

Brunson returned to the stage when Abbott Elementary won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Jessica Chastain was one of many actors who cheered on their peers during the awards ceremony. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Jessica Chastain won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for George & Tammy.

In her acceptance speech, she said Philip Seymour Hoffman had spoken to her acting class and told the students frustrating stories about auditions but encouraged them to keep going saying he was looking forward to working with each of them.

"I just want to tell everyone who might be struggling at home, to all the actors that I get to meet, keep going," Chastain said.

"You're one job away. I look forward to working with you. I'll see you on set."

Sally Field receives Lifetime Achievement award

Sally Field was given the Lifetime achievement award. Andrew Garfield presented her with the award saying: "You never drink the Kool Aid of your own brilliance. You never get high on your own supply."

Sally Field received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th annual SAG awards. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Field spoke about playing everyone from Forrest Gump's mother to Spider-Man's aunt.

She acknowledged that her struggle was hard but paled in comparison to others.

"I was a little white girl with a pug nose born in Pasadena, California," she said.

"And when I look around this room tonight, I know my fight, as hard as it was, was lightweight compared to some of yours."

While on stage presenting an award, Ariana DeBose made reference to her much talked-about rap at the BAFTAs ceremony with the camera panning to Angela Bassett who took it all in good humour.

The ceremony was streamed live on Netflix's YouTube page from Los Angeles.

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