Kristen Bell Hosts the 2026 Actor Awards with a Musical Roast

Los Angeles, CA – The 32nd Annual Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, took place Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kristen Bell, the ceremony celebrated outstanding performances in film and television, and marked a playful acknowledgement of the awards show’s recent rebranding.

Bell Kicks Off the Ceremony with Humor

Bell opened the show with a lighthearted jab at the name change, stating, “Modern name, same girl.” She continued, playfully referencing the trend of actors adopting stage names, noting it’s a common practice for those seeking a moniker “that rolls off the tongue with melodious ease.”

A Musical Monologue and Celebrity Name Games

Staying true to her successful hosting style from the previous year, Bell incorporated a musical performance into her opening monologue. She playfully suggested alternative stage names for several actors, including proposing “Jacordi O’Lordy” for Jacob Elordi. She too joked that she could have been known as “the one and only Krinsten Bell” if she hadn’t insisted on corrected headshots.

Other suggestions included “Ted Dandaughter” for Ted Danson, “TeyTay” for Teyana Taylor, “Indoctrinate Me” for Noah Wyle, and “Jesse Plimes” for Jesse Plemons. She gave a nod of approval to Chase Infiniti, stating, “No notes.”

Third Time’s the Charm for Bell

This marked Bell’s third time hosting the Actor Awards, having previously hosted in 2018 and 2025. The ceremony began with a pre-recorded skit featuring the cast of “Abbott Elementary” and continued with a segment featuring actors like Kristen Wiig, Teyana Taylor, Delroy Lindo, Kate Hudson, and Michael J. Fox sharing career moments.

A Lighthearted Tone

Bell emphasized the need for levity, stating, “I think the world could use some levity right now, so we’re going to preserve things light.”