Hamnet director Chloe Zhao cracks 'confused' smile as her heartbreaking film is spoofed at 2026 Actor Awards

Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs had the crowd in stitches as they did a sketch about Hamnet during the 2026 Actor Awards. 

The duo joked they played 'two provincial nobles who were inbred' in the emotionally-charged drama as they took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. 

While the bit got the crowd laughing, it may not have won over it's director, Chloe Zhao - who was seen flashing an uneasy smile when the camera panned to her. 

The less than enthusiastic response did not go unnoticed by netizens. 

'Chloe Zhao not finding it funny at all, I'm dying,' one X user posted. 

'Poor Chloe Zhao looked so confused by comedy,' another posted. 

'The shot of Chloe zhao discovering Meg stalter in realtime.' 

'Chloe Zhao is not feeling this bit lmaooooooo.'

'Chloe Zhao is not having it (sob emoji) LMAOOO.'

'Do we think Chloe Zhao even knows what a merkin is,' one asked with a sobbing emoji, referencing a line cracked in the sketch. 

'Megan and Paul singlehandedly bringing back vaudeville with their HAMNET bit,' one wrote followed followed by their interpretation of Zhao's reaction, a photo of actor Luis Guzman looking unamused. 

Hamnet won one of the three Actor Awards it was up for on Sunday evening - Jessie Buckley earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal as William Shakespeare's wife Agnes. 

The film was also up for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Paul Mescal. 

The Actor Awards handed out honors across 28 categories spanning film, television and limited series, with six nominees in each race except Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which features eight contenders.

The ceremony officially rebranded from the SAG-AFTRA Awards this year, a move designed to align the show with its iconic statuette 'The Actor', sharpen its global identity and keep the spotlight squarely on performers honoring their peers.

And there's a familiar face steering the ship.

Kristen Bell returns as host for the third time, having previously emceed in 2018 and 2025.

'Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family. One you actually want to hang out with,' show-runner and executive producer Jon Brockett said in a statement.

Michael B. Jordan pulled off the upset of award season as he beat out Timothee Chalamet for the top acting prize at the Actor Awards 2026, formally known as the SAG Awards, on Sunday night.

The 39-year-old star earned the win in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in Sinners.

He beat out Chalamet who starred in Marty Supreme in a field which also included: Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon, and Jesse Plemons - Bugonia.

Jordan was in disbelief as he walked on-stage and looked down at his new actor trophy with his hands at his face and his mouth fully open.

That was not the only upset win for Sinners as the Ryan Coogler written and directed horror flick earned the top prize Outstanding Performance By a Cast in a Motion Picture.

It beat out Frankenstein (Netflix), Hamnet (Focus Features), Marty Supreme (A24), and One Battle After Another (Warner Bros).

Jessie Buckley beat out the likes of Kate Hudson and Emma Stone to earn the other top acting prize.

The 36-year-old Irish actress was emotional as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her work in Hamnet.

The star-studded field included the aforementioned Hudson for Song Sung Blue and Stone for Bugonia along with Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Emma Stone - Bugonia.

Meanwhile, Catherine O'Hara earned a posthumous honor just one month after her tragic death.

The talented Canadian-American actress passed away at 71 on January 30 from a blood clot in her lungs known as a pulmonary embolism.

O'Hara earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Series for her work in The Studio.

She beat out an impressive field including: Kathryn Hahn - The Studio, Jenna Ortega - Wednesday, Jean Smart - Hacks, and Kristen Wiig - Palm Royale.