Jodie Foster’s Surprise at Winning a SAG Award for Nell

Reflecting on the 30-year history of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Jodie Foster recalls an unexpected moment from her past. In 1995, she found herself unaware of the existence of the awards until the morning after she won.

In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Foster, now 61, expressed her astonishment upon learning about her win for her leading role in the movie Nell. She confessed that she had never even heard of the nomination before, describing the revelation as a shocking moment, as if there had been some mistake.

Kathy Connell, a founding member of the SAG Awards Committee, reminisced about the early days of the awards show, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding its reception in Hollywood. Initially, the SAG Awards weren’t a prominent fixture in the awards season calendar, with many questioning their significance.

The inaugural SAG Award winners, including Foster, Tom Hanks, Dianne Wiest, and Martin Landau, were honored by their peers at a ceremony held at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Despite initial skepticism, actors like Dennis Franz, who won for NYPD Blue, recognized the importance of actors acknowledging each other’s work.

For Foster, the recognition from her fellow actors was particularly meaningful, considering Nell’s mixed critical reception. Despite not being a critics’ favorite, the acknowledgment from her guild members held significant personal value, prompting her to attend the second annual ceremony as a presenter.

Years later, Foster remains connected to the SAG Awards, expressing her appreciation for the ensemble category, which often goes unrecognized. This year, she is once again nominated for a SAG Award, highlighting her enduring presence and influence in the industry.

As the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards approach, Foster’s journey from surprise winner to esteemed nominee reflects the evolution of the awards show and the enduring camaraderie among actors.