The 2026 SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards nominations left fans and critics stunned as major stars like Cynthia Erivo, Jeremy Allen White, and Adam Sandler were overlooked, despite their critically acclaimed performances.
The 2026 SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards nominations, announced on January 7, have sparked widespread discussion due to several high-profile omissions. While films like One Battle After Another and The Studio dominated the nominations, others like Jay Kelly and Sentimental Value were completely shut out. Even Wicked: For Good, a major contender, only secured a single nomination for Ariana Grande.
On the television front, the entire cast of The Bear was overlooked in individual acting categories, though they did receive a nod for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. This year’s snubs follow a pattern from 2025, where notable performances by Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Cooper Koch were also ignored.
The Most Glaring Omissions
Cynthia Erivo
Erivo’s exclusion from the nominations for Wicked: For Good is particularly surprising given the film’s strong performance in previous awards seasons. This isn’t the first time Erivo has been snubbed for this role; she was also overlooked at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. Despite her Golden Globe nomination, she will not attend the ceremony due to a scheduling conflict with a new project.
Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White, known for his leading role in The Bear, was another shocking omission. Although the show’s ensemble received a nomination, White’s individual performance was not recognized. Additionally, his role as Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me From Nowhere, which had generated significant award buzz, was also ignored.
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Jay Kelly, but the film failed to secure any nominations. Sandler’s performance had earned him a Critics Choice Award nomination, though he lost to Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein.
Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan Skarsgård‘s exclusion for his role in Sentimental Value is one of the most surprising snubs. Skarsgård had been a consistent presence on various award show nomination lists, making his absence from the SAG-AFTRA nominations particularly noteworthy.
Carrie Coon
Carrie Coon‘s performance in The White Lotus Season 3 was widely praised, yet she did not receive a nomination. However, her co-stars Parker Posey and Aimee Lou Wood were recognized, adding to the surprise of her omission.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott was notably absent from the Lead Actor in a Drama category for his role in Severance. Despite his previous nominations for the show, Scott was overlooked this year. However, his co-star Britt Lower received a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and the ensemble was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Why These Snubs Matter
The SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards are unique because they are voted on by the union’s members, making them a true reflection of peer recognition. The absence of these high-profile names raises questions about the criteria and preferences of the voting members. It also highlights the subjective nature of awards and the unpredictability of nominations.
For fans and critics alike, these snubs serve as a reminder that even the most acclaimed performances are not guaranteed recognition. The 2026 SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards will air live on Netflix on Sunday, March 1, and will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion leading up to the ceremony.
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