HOLLYWOOD - It was all about that jazz at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles tonight, as the Screen Actors Guild handed out its top honors in its annual ceremony. Miramax's musical spectacular Chicago emerged as the big winner, snagging the best cast performance award.The musical's Renee Zellweger won best actress honors for her kewpie-doll murderess Roxie Hart, and Catherine Zeta-Jones was named best supporting actress for her vixen Velma Kelly. The very pregnant Zeta-Jones made it up to the podium and declared, "If I wasn't pregnant, I'd do it all over again!"
Of course, Zeta-Jones' chances may have been further enhanced by the absence of Meryl Streep's name on the list. In a rather embarrassing snafu, Sony Pictures submitted her name to SAG in the best actress category for her role in Adaptation rather than in the supporting category. Since Paramount Pictures had also submitted Streep's performance in The Hours for best actress honors, many felt the two cancelled one another out and cost her any nomination at all.
Streep still got honors from several of the winners, however, including Edie Falco, who won best actress in a drama series for her work in The Sopranos. As she came on stage, she took a deep breath, saying, "I just locked eyes with Meryl Streep--I need to collect myself for a moment."
Another admirer was Will & Grace's Megan Mullally, who, after winning the award for best actress in a comedy series, quipped "I am so busted! I was trying to tell Meryl Streep that I love her and I tripped on the stairs!"
Other film winners included Daniel Day-Lewis, who picked up the award for best actor for his performance as Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York, and Christopher Walken, who won the award for best supporting actor for his turn as Frank Abagnale Sr. in Catch Me If You Can. The slightly disoriented Walken seemed a little surprised at his win, but joked, "We are all family and I hope we all work together--soon."
The evening's best acceptance speeches, however, belonged to the winners in the television categories, including James Gandolfini, who took home the best actor in drama award for his mob boss on The Sopranos. The burly actor, looking even more menacing with a full beard, made light of his recent contractual woes with HBO. "It's a great place to work!…Enjoy it while it's happening 'cause it can get weird later on," referring to the recent lawsuit he has filed against the cable channel for breach of contract.
The cast of Everybody Loves Raymond had a few things to say about Gandolfini's troubles as well. As they headed up on stage after winning the best TV comedy series ensemble, Ray Romano handed the mike over to co-star Brad Garrett, claiming "[Brad] never gets enough lines." Without missing a beat, Garrett admitted, "This is an exciting time for me because I'm going to be auditioning for the lead in The Sopranos next week." Then turning to his co-stars, he nervously asked, "Is [Gandolfini] laughing?…This is why they never let me talk."
Sean Hayes, who won for best actor in a comedy series for Will & Grace, hammed it up. "I'm completely shocked. I have nothing prepared. But now I can get these," lifting up his shirt to show markings for plastic surgery on his stomach. "They said I'd have six-packs in no time." All joking aside, Hayes got a little emotional, thanking his co-stars. "I wasn't that long ago I couldn't pay my rent. And now I can pay all of you guys' rent. Thank you."
Other television wins included HBO's Six Feet Under for best TV drama series ensemble,
William H. Macy for best actor in a TV movie/miniseries for TNT's Door to Door and Stockard Channing for best actress in a TV movie/miniseries for The Matthew Shepherd Story.
Tough guy Clint Eastwood received SAG's lifetime achievement award and was introduced by Romano, who freely admitted he thought it was a little odd that he was chosen as the person to introduce Eastwood, even though they "went way back."
Here's the complete list of nominees and winners: