‘Shakespeare,’ ‘ER’ Lead Awards by Actors Guild
The romantic romp “Shakespeare in Love” and the television medical drama “ER” were the big winners at the 5th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, a ceremony made somber by the news of legendary director Stanley Kubrick’s death in London at the age of 70.
Kubrick, who directed such films as “A Clockwork Orange,” “Dr. Strangelove” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” in his long career, was remembered by best actor victor Roberto Benigni, honored for his Oscar-nominated performance in the Italian film “Life Is Beautiful.”
“He belongs to everyone, like [Federico] Fellini,” said Benigni, who is also nominated for an Oscar as best director. “We owe a lot to them. . . . Stanley Kubrick is one of the geniuses of this century.”
Meanwhile, “Shakespeare in Love,” which led all nominees for next month’s Academy Awards with 13 nods, won for outstanding cast in a motion picture and Gwyneth Paltrow was voted best female actor in a lead role.
The cast of NBC’s top-rated “ER” was honored for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series for the fourth consecutive year and the show’s Julianna Margulies was voted best female actor in a drama for the second time in a row.
“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing,” said “ER’s” Anthony Edwards, a best-actor nominee.
Sam Waterston of NBC’s “Law and Order” was a surprise winner for best male actor in a drama series; Christopher Reeve of ABC’s “Rear Window” won for best actor in a TV movie or miniseries.
Angelina Jolie was named best female actor in a movie or miniseries for her role in HBO’s “Gia,” a performance that also won her a Golden Globe award.
The cast of the Fox series “Ally McBeal” was voted best ensemble in a comedy series while Golden Globe honoree Michael J. Fox of ABC’s “Spin City” was voted best male actor in a comedy series. Tracey Ullman of HBO’s “Tracey Takes On” was named best female actor in a comedy.
In other movie awards, Oscar nominees Robert Duvall and Kathy Bates won supporting actor awards for their performances in “A Civil Action” and “Primary Colors,” respectively.
And in a special tribute, Kirk Douglas received a lifetime achievement award for his work in 82 films and nine plays in more than five decades as a actor.
The awards are voted on by members of the Screen Actors Guild, one of two major unions representing on-screen talent in the motion picture and television industry.
