What the Actor Awards Looked Like in 2006

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The year was 2006.

The introduction of the Nintendo Wii forever changed the gaming landscape, Taylor Swift was still an unknown name as she launched her debut album, Heroes’ first season and the March of the Penguins documentary captivated audiences. Plus, Twitter made its debut while Facebook finally breached the market beyond college campuses­—and backing it all was Daniel Powter’s iconic one hit wonder, “Bad Day.”

And, much like the app we’ve come to now know as X (Twitter, you’ll never be forgotten), in 2006 the Actor Awards still went by a different name: the SAG Awards. 

As for which stars were recognized by their fellow Screen Actors Guild members, it was a diverse selection, with no film earning more than one award during the January ceremony.

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Reese Witherspoon won lead actor—Philip for his work in Capote and Reese for Walk the Line—while Cinderella Man’s Paul Giamatti and The Constant Gardener’s Rachel Weisz won for their supporting work. 

Meanwhile Crash—which would go on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year—won for its ensemble work, with a cast including Sandra Bullock, Thandiwe Newton, Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle and Brendan Fraser.

The television categories were similarly split, with only Desperate Housewives earning more than one award. Among the TV categories, Paul Newman won for his work in Empire Falls, Kiefer Sutherland for 24, Sandra Oh for Grey’s Anatomy, Sean Hayes for Will & Grace and Felicity Huffman won for her work in Desperate Housewives.

Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

For Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble, it was the cast of Lost—then in its third season—that won for the drama side, while Desperate Housewives clinched it among the comedies. 

When it came to the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, it boasted both iconic aughts fashion (with plenty of patterns and updos) and couples of days gone by.

Among the latter were Reese and Ryan Phillippe, then three years into what would be their nine-year marriage, who attended the ceremony together. 

More heartbreakingly, Michelle Williams and her then partner Heath Ledger walked the carpet hand in hand, just two years before his death at the age of 28. 

But while some lights have dimmed in the 20 years since, the 2006 SAG Awards also showed off stars still on their rise: Take, for instance, Dakota Fanning, who at just 12 years old had finished a whopping five films the year before. 

But don’t take out word for it. To see the 2006 SAG Awards in all their glory, read on.

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Heath Ledger & Michelle Williams

The then-couple were the perfect foil in all-black and all-white looks, with Heath nominated for Best Actor with his role in Brokeback Mountain.

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Rachel Weisz

The soon-to-be crowned winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role stuned in a navy gown. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Naveen Andrews

The Lost star, nominated for the show's ensemble work, donned a classic black suit for the occasion. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Amy Adams

Amy—nominated for Supporting Actress for Junebug—walked the carpet in a brown gown. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Jake Gyllenhaal

Nominated for his supporting work in Brokeback Mountain, Jake wore an elegant tuxedo. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Katherine Heigl

The Grey's Anatomy star—nominated for her ensemble work—wore a black and gold gown. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Sandra Oh

Hours before she'd be crowned the winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, the Grey's Anatomy actress wore a black and white dress on the red carpet.

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Hilary Swank

Hilary wore a white strapless dress to the award show.  

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon

The then-couple would both walk away winners: Ryan for his ensemble work in Crash and Reese for her lead role in Walk the Line

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Dakota Fanning

The then 12-year-old star wore a sweet dress to the festivities. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Eva Longoria

The Desperate Housewives star walked away a winner for her ensemble work in the drama series.

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Alfre Woodard

Alfre, too, was awarded for her work in the drama series. 

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Anne Hathaway

The Brokeback Mountain star was nominated for her ensemble work in the film. 

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