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Actor Awards 2026: Chase Infiniti Reveals She's Named After This Nicole Kidman Character
Why go through one host after another when everybody wanted Kristen Bell back to host the 2026 Actor Awards?
Because, as she noted in her opening monologue, "When something works once, you keep doing it, over and over again. Like when Jason Bateman plays a likable curmudegon. Or when Sterling K. Brown shows his beautiful butt cheeks onscreen. Or when Claire Danes...Claire Danes-es, you know?"
The Nobody Wants This star returned to her post as emcee of the ceremony formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, streaming live on Netflix March 1 from L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium. And while it's really not the occasion to let it go, what with the good vibes that come from talent celebrating talent and all, Bell did pack a few zingers into her opening monologue.
Which, true to form, was anchored by a musical number, this one poking fun at how many actors—Emma Stone, Benicio del Toro and many more—decided to go with a stage name as they embarked on their now-distinguished careers. (See all the fashionable stars attending the 2026 Actor Awards.)
And Bell—who could've been "the one and only Krinsten Bell" if she hadn't insisted on headshots without a typo—had some suggestions for actors who might want to consider a new moniker.
For instance, her The Good Place costar Ted Danson could go with "Ted Dandaughter," or perhaps Teyana Taylor may want to try the mononym "TeyTay."
Noah Wyle could easily be "Indoctrinate Me" and Jesse Plemons would really be a success as Jesse Plimes, wouldn't he?
As for One Battle After Another breakout star Chase Infiniti?
"No notes," Bell assured her.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
This marked Bell's second straight year hosting the event and third time overall, having been this ceremony's first-ever host in 2018. (And Kristen Bell is her real name, FYI.)
She also poked fun at the show's name change, pretending to accidentally call it the SAG Awards but interrupting herself with a Netflix-sanctioned "Oh, f--k me!"
While it's the most compact show of awards season, with only 15 categories (two of which, for film and TV stunt work, are handed out off-camera) and both lead and supporting players nominated in the same respective TV drama, comedy and limited series/TV movie categories, the Actors tend to also be, well, the actors' favorite.
One Battle After Another leads the way with seven nominations, for Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, plus individual recognition for Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, as well as Best Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture.
Sinners is hot on its heels with five nominations, including best cast and stunt ensemble, plus nods for Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku.
On the TV/streaming side, The Studio led all comers with a nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, as well as individual acting recognition for Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and the late Catherine O'Hara.
Meanwhile, White Lotus checked in with four nominations, for Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Amy Lou Wood and the drama's whole ensemble, as did Adolescence, with Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty and Christine Tremarco all nominated in the TV movie/limited series categories.
See all the stars on the red carpet at the 2026 Actor Award:
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Calista Flockhart & Harrison Ford
in Leviev jewelry (Flockhart).
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Timothée Chalamet
in Prada.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Mindy Kaling
in Yara Shoemaker.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jenna Ortega
in Christian Cowan and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Sterling K. Brown
in Brioni, Blancpain watch and Oliver Peoples glasses.
Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Tyler, The Creator
Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images
Natasha Rothwell
in Naeem Kahn and Mindi Mond jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Aimee Lou Wood
in custom Versace, Jimmy Choo shoes and Frank Darling jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Emma Stone
in custom Louis Vuitton.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Paul Mescal
in Saint Laurent and Cartier jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Sarah Paulson
in Saint Laurent.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Connor Storrie
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow
in Givenchy and Belperron jewelry.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Teyana Taylor
in Thom Browne and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Kate Hudson
in Valentino and Desert diamonds from Emily P. Wheeler.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jessie Buckley
in Balenciaga and Jessica McCormack jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Leslie Bibb & Sam Rockwell
in Ashi Studio and Cartier jewelry (Bibb).
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Delroy Lindo & Nashormeh N.R. Lindo
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Matthew Rhys & Keri Russell
in Louis Vuitton and Buccellati jewelry (Russell).
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Fran Drescher
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Viola Davis
in custom Gucci and Pasquale Bruni jewelry.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Molly Sims & Scott Stuber
in Chopard jewelry (Sims).
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jeremy Allen White
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Rhea Seehorn
in Louis Vuitton.
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Charlie Hunnam
in Brioni.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Jason Bateman & Amanda Anka
Tommaso Boddi/WWD via Getty Images
Lauren Miller Rogen & Seth Rogen
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Adam Scott & Naomi Scott
in Giorgio Armani (Adam).
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons
in Khaite (Dunst) and Carmina shoes (Plemons).
Watch The Actor Awards 2026 (formerly named the SAG Awards) live Sunday, March 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Netflix.
English (US) ·