Sheepish Soprano thanks HBO

In an it-could-only-happen-in-Hollywood moment, James Gandolfini of “The Sopranos” won the prize for lead actor in a drama series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday night, just days after filing a breach of contract suit against HBO. His lawyers might not want him talking about the suit, but he acknowledged it during his thank-yous.

Sounding slightly sheepish, Gandolfini said, “Maybe there’s been some stuff lately that makes me seem slightly ungrateful, but to HBO I just want to say I am very grateful for what you’ve done. And it’s a wonderful place to work.”

That wasn’t the final note on the suit, and the possibility that ongoing litigation could jeopardize Gandolfini’s continuing as Tony Soprano.

Brad Garrett, accepting the SAG award for ensemble cast in a TV comedy as part of the “Everybody Loves Raymond” team, brought down the house at the Shrine Auditorium Exhibition Hall by noting, “I don’t mean to brag, but I’m going to be auditioning for the lead in ‘The Sopranos’ next week and I’m very excited. That’s why I shaved my beard.” Cowering down and shielding his eyes from the possible glance from litigant Gandolfini, Garrett queried in mock horror, “Is he laughing?”