Firth, ‘King’s Speech’ take top honors at SAG Awards
Portman named best leading actress
LOS ANGELES – “The King’s Speech” won the best-actor trophy Sunday for Colin Firth and a second honor for its overall cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Natalie Portman earned the best-actress award for “Black Swan,” while “The Fighter” co-stars Christian Bale and Melissa Leo swept the supporting-acting honors, boosting their own prospects for the Academy Awards on Feb. 27.
“The King’s Speech” leads Oscar contenders with 12 nominations, among them best picture and actor for Firth, who has been the awards favorite virtually since the film premiered at festivals half a year ago.
“Until today, I would say probably, if ever I felt that I had a trophy which has told me that something’s really happening for me, it was my SAG card,” said Firth, who plays Queen Elizabeth’s dad, George VI, as he takes the throne in the 1930s while struggling to overcome a debilitating stammer.
“I’ve been working since I was 11 years old, and SAG has taken care of me,” said Portman, who won for her role as a ballerina losing her grip on reality. “They made sure I wasn’t working too long and made sure I got an education while I was working.”
Bale is a strong favorite for the supporting-actor Oscar as real-life fighter Dicky Eklund, whose career unraveled amid drugs and crime. Eklund briefly joined Bale on stage, the actor telling him he’s “a real gentleman.”
Leo, who plays the domineering matriarch of Eklund and half-brother Micky Ward’s boxing family in “The Fighter,” was speechless for a long moment after taking the stage.
“I’m much better when I have my words written for me and somebody’s costumes to put on,” said Leo.
Betty White won for TV comedy actress for “Hot in Cleveland.”
“I must say this is the biggest surprise I’ve ever had in this business. There wasn’t a prayer. I am so lucky to be … at 89, to be working …” White said, pausing as the crowd interrupted her with effusive applause. “You didn’t applaud when I turned 40.”
Alec Baldwin won his fifth straight guild award for best actor in a comedy series for “30 Rock.”
“Modern Family” won for overall cast performance in a TV comedy.
Steve Buscemi of “Boardwalk Empire” and Julianna Margulies of “The Good Wife” won as best actors in a TV drama. “Boardwalk Empire,” a Prohibition-era gangster series, also won for overall TV drama cast performance.