What Is 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards honored outstanding film and television performances from 2004, held on January 23, 2005, at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, with Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman winning top film acting awards.

Key Facts

The 2005 SAG Awards were held on January 23, 2005, at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles.
Hilary Swank won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for 'Million Dollar Baby'.
Morgan Freeman won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for 'Million Dollar Baby'.
The ceremony honored performances from the 2004 calendar year.
Will & Grace won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Overview

The 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards celebrated the most outstanding performances in film and television from the 2004 calendar year. Held on January 23, 2005, at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, the ceremony brought together top actors to recognize peer excellence in the industry.

Hosted by actor and comedian Cedric the Entertainer, the event highlighted achievements across leading, supporting, and ensemble categories in both film and television. The SAG Awards are unique because winners are selected exclusively by actors within the union, emphasizing peer recognition.

Hilary Swank won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role as Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby, a performance widely praised for its emotional depth.
Morgan Freeman received the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role award for his portrayal of Eddie 'Scrap-Iron' Dupris in Million Dollar Baby, marking a career milestone.
Clint Eastwood was honored with the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role award for directing and acting in Million Dollar Baby, a film that dominated the night.
Cate Blanchett won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator, capturing Hepburn's mannerisms with precision.
Will & Grace took home the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, a significant win for the show in its final season, reflecting its cultural impact.

Major Television and Film Winners

The 2005 ceremony underscored the dominance of Million Dollar Baby in film categories while also spotlighting acclaimed television performances. The awards highlighted both dramatic and comedic excellence across genres.

Ray Charles biopic 'Ray' earned Jamie Foxx the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, recognizing his transformative portrayal of the legendary musician.
Charlize Theron won for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Monster the previous year, but in 2005, the spotlight shifted to Swank’s boxing drama performance.
Paul Giamatti won for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Miniseries or TV Movie for his role as John Adams in John Adams, a performance lauded for its nuance.
Angela Bassett received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or TV Movie for The Rosa Parks Story, honoring her powerful portrayal.
Lost won the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, marking a major win for the new sci-fi phenomenon that redefined television storytelling.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top winners across film and television categories at the 2005 SAG Awards:

Category	Winner	Work	Date Won
Male Actor – Leading Role (Film)	Jamie Foxx	Ray	January 23, 2005
Female Actor – Leading Role (Film)	Hilary Swank	Million Dollar Baby	January 23, 2005
Male Actor – Supporting Role (Film)	Morgan Freeman	Million Dollar Baby	January 23, 2005
Ensemble – Comedy Series	Will & Grace	Will & Grace	January 23, 2005
Ensemble – Drama Series	Lost	Lost	January 23, 2005

The table illustrates how both established and emerging projects were recognized, from Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed drama to the breakout success of Lost. The SAG Awards often serve as a predictor for the Oscars, and in 2005, Million Dollar Baby and Ray went on to win major Academy Awards, validating the SAG’s influence.

Why It Matters

The 2005 SAG Awards were a pivotal moment in awards season, offering early clues to Oscar outcomes and celebrating performances that resonated with both critics and audiences. The recognition by peers in the acting community adds significant prestige to the winners.

Million Dollar Baby swept major categories, foreshadowing its success at the Academy Awards, where it won Best Picture and Best Director.
Jamie Foxx’s dual win for Ray and Collateral showcased his range and cemented his status as a leading actor.
The win for Lost highlighted the growing cultural impact of serialized television, paving the way for future complex narratives.
Will & Grace winning in its final season underscored the show’s lasting legacy in LGBTQ+ representation on mainstream TV.
Cedric the Entertainer’s hosting brought humor and energy, reinforcing the SAG Awards as both prestigious and accessible.
The ceremony was broadcast live on TNT, reaching millions and emphasizing the union’s role in promoting actors’ visibility.

Ultimately, the 2005 SAG Awards celebrated excellence while reflecting broader industry trends, from film dominance to the rise of television as a storytelling powerhouse.