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Kristen Bell Roasts Emma Stone & More Celebrities’ Name Changes at Actor Awards
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:
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Kristen Wiig
in Christian Cowan and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Michelle Randolph
in Balenciaga.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Sofia Carson
in Elie Saab and Chopard jewelry.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Liza Colon-Zayas
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Jean Smart
in Laura Basci and Rahaminov Diamonds jewelry.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Jasmin Savoy Brown
in Zuhair Murad.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Irina Shayk
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Janelle James
in Christian Louboutin shoes.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Ethan Hawke
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Eiza González
in Giorgio Armani Privé.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Fiona Dourif
in Lanvin and Lagos jewelry.
David Fisher/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Erin Doherty
in Louis Vuitton.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Benicio del Toro
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Michael B. Jordan
in Tom Ford.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Regina Hall
in custom Cong Tri.
Monica Schipper/WireImage
Lisa Ann Walter
in Alexia Maria.
John Salangsang/Shutterstock for The Actor Awards
Demi Moore
in Schiaparelli.
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Allison Janney
in Raisa Vanessa and Sabyasachi jewelry.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Calista Flockhart & Harrison Ford
in Zuhair Murad and Leviev jewelry (Flockhart).
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Timothée Chalamet
in Prada.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Mindy Kaling
in Yara Shoemaker and Bucherer Fine Jewellery.
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.
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) ·