The 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards was full of Hollywood A-listers, but some were noticeably absent.
When Joey King and Jack Quaid called out Martin Short’s name when announcing the winner of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, the duo began looking for the Only Murders in the Building star in the crowd.
“Well, well, well, I don’t see … Oh, there’s the teleprompter. Martin Short could not be here tonight,” King read during the Sunday, February 23, awards show held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. “We accept this award on his behalf.”
While the cast of Only Murders in the Building accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Steve Martin also appeared to be absent.
“Marty and Steve aren’t here because, you know, they don’t really care,” costar Selena Gomez quipped during her acceptance speech, while costar Richard Kind joked, “Remember to thank Marty and Steve.” Gomez added, “Oh and thank you to Marty and Steve for helping raise me.”
Days before the awards show, Martin revealed that Short contracted COVID-19 after appearing in the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.
“Maya [Rudolph] came down with Covid, (she did NOT come to the show with it!) Marty came down with it,” Martin wrote via Instagram, alongside a snap of Rudolph and Short kissing. “The SNL 50th Covid curse is real. Unfortunately, we have to reschedule this weekend’s sold out Durham and Knoxville dates to 10/17 Knoxville and 10/18 Durham. So sorry for the inconvenience. I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”
Scroll down to see which actors chose to skip the SAGs:
Jean Smart
Smart was not present when she won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. “Jean is shooting on location and can’t be here tonight but we accept this award on her behalf,” Molly Shannon said while accepting the award on her behalf.
Allison Janney
Janney was not seen inside the room when Shōgun’s Anna Sawai accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. (Janney was nominated for her role in The Diplomat.)
Martin Short
Short was not present to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series after contracting COVID-19.
Steve Martin
Martin was absent while the cast of Only Murders in the Building accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds was not in attendance to support Deadpool & Wolverine’s nomination for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture. (The Fall Guy ultimately won the category.)
Jonathan Bailey
Bailey was not present to support his Bridgerton or Wicked costars due to his commitments starring in Richard II at the Bridge Theater in London, per People.
Cate Blanchett
Blanchett, who was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, was not seen inside the awards show when Jessica Gunning took home the trophy for her role in Baby Reindeer.
Eddie Redmayne
Redmayne was not seen inside the room when Shōgun’s Hiroyuki Sanada accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. (Redmayne was nominated for his role in The Day of the Jackal.)
Karla Sofía Gascón
Gascón was not present when Emilia Pérez costars Gomez and Zoe Saldaña appeared together to present the film.
