Actors say—and do—the darndest things.
During the opening moments of the 2025 SAG Awards—hosted by Female Actor in a Comedy Series nominee Kristen Bell Feb. 23—where stars begin the annual event with the recurring “I am an actor” introduction, Harrison Ford stole the spotlight during his Shrinking costar Jessica Williams’ speech.
“Los Angeles is known as the city of dreams,” she began, “and sure enough all my dreams have come true here.”
But as Jessica began her next sentence, the Star Wars alum grabbed a chip and began putting it in his mouth before realizing he was on camera for all to see.
“I told him to turn away!” she shouted as the audience erupted into laughter and Harrison turned around in shame. “Don’t look!”
As Harrison finished his chip hidden from the camera, Jessica finished her welcome.
“From my dream of preparing in a Starbucks bathroom before an audition to my dream of crying in a Del Taco bathroom afterwards,” she said. “But more than just a dream factory, this city has always been my home. I am Jessica Williams. I’m L.A.-born and bred, and I am an actor.”
And while the opening moments of the ceremony—which also included speeches from Bowen Yang, Mikey Madison and Jodie Foster—were filled with heartwarming reflections and hilarious snack breaks, it’s just the latest collection added to the actor-focused tradition that began at the inaugural SAG Awards in 1995 with the late Angela Lansbury.
“We are here this evening to honor our fellow performers in film and TV with an award simply called The Actor,” she said while kicking off the ceremony. “I know a little bit about the subject. I’ve been Elizabeth Taylor’s sister, Spencer Tracy’s mistress, Elvis’ mother, and a singing teapot.”
The Murder, She Wrote star continued, “Let’s face it, at one time or another, everyone loves the opportunity to act. No matter what we do, I guess we are all actors at heart. So, tonight is dedicated to the art and craft of acting by the people who should know about it: actors.”
Since Lansbury’s opening monologue, more than 100 stars have delivered anecdotes about acting while introducing the show.
“I’ve talked my way out of 11 fights,” Will Arnett said in 2009. “I’ve cried more this year than most women do in a lifetime. Wherever I go, I seek out a mirror, and when one’s not available, I’ll make due with a car window or a dark picture. I’m Will Arnett, and I’m an alcoholic—actor!”
And while the Arrested Development alum’s speech focused on his vanity, The Office’s Steve Carell followed up with an emphasis on sticking to his skillset.
Actors Guild Awards®
“On Jan. 15, 2009, a US Airways pilot named Chesley Sullenberger performed an exacting, perfect emergency landing into the icy cold waters of Hudson River,” he said. “It’s a good thing I was not behind the controls of that plane, because I’m Steve Carell, and I’m an actor.”
Keep reading to see more stars who have delivered iconic “I am an actor” speeches.
Anne Hathaway
“My first memory of wanting to be an actor came when I saw my mother play the title role in Evita,” the Devil Wears Prada actress shared at the 2006 SAG Awards. “I watched her die on stage and come back to life in time for the applause and I thought, ‘hididdly-dee!'”
She continued, “My name is Anne Hathaway and I’m an actor.”
Rami Malek
“When I was a kid I used to lock myself in the bathroom and create a collection of characters,” the Mr. Robot star began at the 2016 SAG Awards. “I thought I was insane.”
He added, “My name is Rami Malek—I’m not insane—I’m an actor.”
Zach Galifianakis
The Hangover actor feigned forgetfulness when it came time to share his story at the 2015 SAG Awards, joking, “I’m Zach Galifianakis. I’m an Actor?”
Steve Carell
“On January 15th, 2009 a US Airways pilot named Chesley Sullenberger performed an exacting perfect emergency landing into the icy cold waters of Hudson River,” the Office star said at that year’s ceremony, referencing the famous aircraft incident. “It’s a good thing I was not behind the controls of that plane, because I’m Steve Carell and I’m an actor.”
Halle Berry
“When I was a teenager, I was a gymnast and I had big dreams of going to the Olympics—wasn’t quite good enough,” the Monster’s Ball actress shared at the 2003 ceremony. “But today, I’m Halle Berry and I’m proud to say I’m an actor.”
Sofía Vergara
“I grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia, in a very traditional Catholic home,” the Modern Family actress began at the 2013 ceremony. “My father told me, that if I ever did anything artistic, I was going to look like a hooker. I told him, ‘With these huge boobs that I inherited from your mother, I already look like a hooker.'”
As the audience roared with laughter, she added, “I am Sofia Vergara and I am an actor.”
John Krasinski
The Office alum recounted his first acting gig during the 2010 SAG Awards, jokingly describing it as “a courageous and controversial firestorm.”
“In sixth grade, I put my craft and my career on the line and performed the role of Daddy Warbucks with a full head of hair,” he quipped of the traditionally bald role. “And I was sure that that performance would have ruined my chances forever of being here tonight and saying I am John Krasinski and I am an actor.”
Mahershala Ali
“Sports were my first love, I went to college on a basketball scholarship and I was never truly fulfilled,” the Moonlight star said at the 2015 SAG Awards. “Then, in my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to act in a play called Spunk. For the first time in my life I felt like I was at home.”
He added, “My name is Mahershala Ali and I am an actor.”
Jane Krakowski
The 30 Rock actress proved to be quite the acting chameleon at the 2008 SAG Awards, quipping, “My favorite thing about acting is that it truly allows you to transform yourself into another person. I’m Johnny Depp and I’m an actor.”
Ashton Kutcher
“I am a citizen of the world.” the That ’70s Show alum began his 2017 speech. “I’m a professional liar. I play pretend for fun.”
In a subtle nod to wife Mila Kunis, he continued, “I’m afforded the opportunity to show the ugliest, most fearful, most vulnerable parts of myself publicly because privately, someone loves me for those flaws. I am Ashton Kutcher, I am an actor.”
Will Arnett
“I’ve talked my way out of eleven fights,” the Arrested Development actor quipped at the 2009 show. “I’ve cried more this year than most women do in a lifetime. Wherever I go I seek out a mirror, and when one’s not available I’ll make due with a car window or a dark picture.”
“I’m Will Arnett and I’m an alcoholic,” he added, before quickly correcting himself, “actor!”
Jennifer Aniston
“When I was a little girl growing up in New York City, all I ever wanted to be was Scarlett O’Hara,” the Friends alum shared at the 2015 SAG Awards. “Oh well. I’m Jennifer Aniston and I am an actor.”
Kyle MacLachlan
Referencing his work in Dune, The Doors and Twin Peaks, the actor turned his speech into a Mastercard spoof.
“I’ve ridden gigantic sand worms on the planet Arrakis, played keyboards with Jim Morrison on stage at the Whiskey and tracked down Laura Palmer’s killer,” he said at the 2009 ceremony. “My card? Screen Actors Guild.”
In keeping with tradition, he added, “I’m Kyle MacLachlan, I’m an actor.”
Kaley Cuoco
The Big Bang Theory star recounted roadblocks in her acting journey during the 2014 SAG Awards.
“Over 20 years ago, my first acting coach told me I would never make it in this business due to my ‘pots and pans acting,’ which meant loud, annoying, obnoxious and all over the place,” she told the crowd. “I’m Kaley Cuoco and I am proud to say, due to my pots and pans acting, I am an actor.”
Jon Cryer
“When I was a kid, I agonized about whether I wanted to be an actor when I
grew up, or an astronaut,” the Two and a Half Men actor shared at the 2012 ceremony. “Both of them have their advantages: Actors get to meet and work with the most beautiful women in the world, and astronauts get to spend long-duration space flights in pressure suits filled with their own urine.”
His choice? “I’m Jon Cryer,” he told the crowd, “and I’m an actor.”
Kristen Bell
As host of the 2018 SAG Awards, the Good Place alum kicked off the ceremony by sharing her own acting origin story.
“When I was young, I used to record Disney movies on my cassette player,” she began. “I would sing every lyric in the Disney canon knowing and believing that one day, I would be a part of that magic.”
Not one to let a joke go, she added, “I am Kristen Bell and I am a narcissist—sorry—I am an actor.”
