Story highlights "American Hustle" beats "12 Years a Slave," others to win top SAG Award

Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett also win

"Modern Family" wins fourth straight SAG Award for comedy series

"Breaking Bad" wins for drama series

"American Hustle" has stepped up its game.

The comedic film, loosely based on the Abscam scandal of the late '70s, received just two nominations at the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Saturday night, but it won the big one: outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

Star Bradley Cooper, practically yelling his approval, paid tribute to director David O. Russell for the film.

"Hustle" and "12 Years a Slave" are among the leading Oscar nominees, and at the SAG Awards the two films faced off for outstanding ensemble -- the SAG Awards' equivalent of Oscar's best picture. Last week, "American Hustle" won the Golden Globe for best comedy or musical film; "12 Years" took home that award for best drama.

"12 Years," about a freeman forced into slavery in 19th-century America, led all SAG Awards nominees with four nominations.

Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Cuba Gooding Jr. surprises Ben Affleck onstage at the end of the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 18. Hide Caption 1 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Bradley Cooper and the cast of "American Hustle" accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. Cooper, practically yelling his approval, paid tribute to director David O. Russell for the film. Hide Caption 2 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – For Oscar watchers, the SAG Awards offer a key indicator of which way the wind is blowing among members of the Motion Picture Academy. Hide Caption 3 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Meryl Streep, left, and Julia Roberts co-star in "August: Osage County," which was nominated for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. Hide Caption 4 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Matthew McConaughey, left, embraces Jared Leto after winning the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for "Dallas Buyers Club." Leto won best supporting actor for his role in the film. Hide Caption 5 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Jennifer Lawrence presents McConaughey with his award. Hide Caption 6 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Robert De Niro presents Cate Blanchett with the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for "Blue Jasmine." Hide Caption 7 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Lupita Nyong'o accepts the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for her part in "12 Years a Slave." Hide Caption 8 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Nyong'o embraces director Steve McQueen after winning her award. Hide Caption 9 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor present the award for male actor in a TV movie or miniseries. It went to Michael Douglas for his role in "Behind the Candelabra." Hide Caption 10 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Rita Moreno accepts this year's Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. "It's early in the third act of my life," the 82-year-old Moreno said. Hide Caption 11 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – From left, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Dean Norris accept the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series for "Breaking Bad." Hide Caption 12 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Helen Mirren accepts the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries for her part in "Phil Spector." Hide Caption 13 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Model Suki Waterhouse and Bradley Cooper sit in the audience. Hide Caption 14 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker present a clip from their film "Lee Daniels' The Butler." It was nominated for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. Hide Caption 15 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – The actors of "Modern Family" accept the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series. It's the show's fourth straight SAG Award. Hide Caption 16 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Mindy Kaling and James Marsden present the award for best actress in a drama series. It went to Maggie Smith for her role in "Downton Abbey." Hide Caption 17 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – From left, Brad Pitt, Steve McQueen and Lupita Nyong'o at their table during the show. Hide Caption 18 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Kevin Spacey helps Julia Louis-Dreyfus onstage. She won best female actor in a comedy series for "Veep." Hide Caption 19 of 20 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: The show 2014 SAG Awards: The show – Bryan Cranston accepts the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series for his lead role in "Breaking Bad." Hide Caption 20 of 20

Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards How these stars got their SAG cards – Gaining entrance to the Screen Actors Guild is a point of pride for actors, and the roles they take on to get their first card are often quirkier than you'd think. For example, Kerry Washington earned her SAG card with ... Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 5 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 11 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 14 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 15 of 16 Photos: How these stars got their SAG cards Hide Caption 16 of 16

Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture: "American Hustle" Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role: Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club" Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role: Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine" Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role: Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role: Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave" Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or miniseries: Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra" Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries: Helen Mirren, "Phil Spector" Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series: Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey" Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series: Ty Burrell, "Modern Family" Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series: "Breaking Bad" Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series: "Modern Family" Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a motion picture: "Lone Survivor" Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: 2014 SAG Awards: Winners 2014 SAG Awards: Winners – Outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a comedy or drama series: "Game of Thrones" Hide Caption 15 of 15

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Other winners established themselves as Oscar front-runners as well.

Matthew McConaughey of "Dallas Buyers Club" took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role Saturday night. He plays an AIDS-afflicted man in the film.

He won the Golden Globe for the same role last week.

Cate Blanchett, who also won a Globe, won the SAG Award for lead female actor.

For Oscar watchers, the awards offer a key indicator of which way the wind is blowing among members of the Motion Picture Academy. The actors' branch is the largest of any of the academy's voting blocs.

The Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 2.

Winfrey: 'We do movies to move people'

Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto led off the awards by winning prizes for supporting female actor and supporting male actor, respectively.

Leto, who stars as a transgender woman in "Dallas Buyers Club," paid tribute to those who have been victims of AIDS, "that terrible disease."

Nyong'o, who plays a slave terrorized by a plantation owner in "12 Years a Slave," won over competition that included Oprah Winfrey ("Lee Daniels' The Butler") and Jennifer Lawrence ("American Hustle").

Winfrey addressed the controversy about not being nominated for an Oscar with CNN's Nischelle Turner on the red carpet.

After praising all the other supporting actress nominees, she pointed out that "The Butler" -- a box-office success -- has had an impact.

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Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role: Chiwetel Ejiofor "12 Years a Slave" (pictured); Tom Hanks "Captain Phillips;" Matthew McConaughey "Dallas Buyers Club;" Bruce Dern "Nebraska;" Forest Whitaker "Lee Daniels' The Butler." Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding female actor in a leading role: Sandra Bullock "Gravity" (pictured); Cate Blanchett "Blue Jasmine;" Judi Dench "Philomena;" Meryl Streep "August: Osage County;" Emma Thompson "Saving Mr. Banks." Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding male actor in a supporting role: James Gandolfini "Enough Said" (pictured); Barkhad Abdi "Captain Phillips;" Daniel Brühl "Rush;" Michael Fassbender "12 Years a Slave;" Jared Leto "Dallas Buyers Club." Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding female actor in a supporting role: Jennifer Lawrence "American Hustle" (pictured); Lupita Nyong'o "12 Years a Slave;" Julia Roberts "August: Osage County;" June Squibb "Nebraska;" Oprah Winfrey "Lee Daniels' The Butler." Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding cast in a motion picture: "Lee Daniels' The Butler" (pictured); "12 Years a Slave," "American Hustle," "August: Osage County," "Dallas Buyers Club." Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding male actor in a drama series: Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones" (pictured); Steve Buscemi "Boardwalk Empire;" Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad;" Jeff Daniels "The Newsroom;" Kevin Spacey "House of Cards." Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding female actor in a drama series: Kerry Washington "Scandal" (pictured); Claire Danes "Homeland;" Anna Gunn "Breaking Bad;" Jessica Lange "American Horror Story: Coven;" Maggie Smith "Downton Abbey." Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding ensemble in a drama series: "Breaking Bad" (pictured); "Boardwalk Empire," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland." Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding male actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin "30 Rock" (pictured); Jason Bateman "Arrested Development;" Ty Burrell "Modern Family;" Don Cheadle "House of Lies;" Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory." Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding female actor in a comedy series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep" (pictured); Mayim Bialik "The Big Bang Theory;" Julie Bowen "Modern Family;" Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie;" Tina Fey "30 Rock." Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding ensemble in a comedy series: "The Big Bang Theory" (pictured); "30 Rock," "Arrested Development," "Veep," "Modern Family." Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding male actor in a TV movie or miniseries: Michael Douglas "Behind the Candelabra" (pictured); Matt Damon "Behind the Candelabra;" Jeremy Irons "The Hollow Crown;" Rob Lowe "Killing Kennedy;" Al Pacino "Phil Spector." Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: Photos: 2014 SAG nominees 2014 SAG nominees – Outstanding female actor in a TV movie or miniseries: Angela Bassett "Betty & Coretta" (pictured); Helena Bonham Carter "Burton and Taylor;" Holly Hunter "Top of the Lake;" Helen Mirren "Phil Spector;" Elisabeth Moss "Top of the Lake." Hide Caption 13 of 13

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Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Lupita Nyong'o won the first statue at the January 18 SAG Awards, and she had to thank a few of her supporters after she left the stage. The "I forgot to thank" card quickly became a meme on the SAG Awards' Instagram account. Hide Caption 1 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Julia Louis-Dreyfus was so busy cracking us up during her acceptance speech for best female actor in a comedy series that she forgot to thank a bunch of people. Hide Caption 2 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Michael Douglas forgot to thank his kids when he won the SAG Award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or miniseries with "Behind the Candelabra." Hide Caption 3 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Sofia Vergara gave the acceptance speech for the cast of "Modern Family," and it looks like she remembered to thank everyone. Hide Caption 4 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – "Modern Family" co-stars Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet celebrate a fun night -- and forget to say who they forgot to thank in their acceptance speeches. Hide Caption 5 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Helen Mirren didn't have to worry about thanking her hair and makeup people -- her amazing SAG Awards look spoke for itself. Hide Caption 6 of 7 Photos: SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners SAG Awards 2014: Forgetful winners – Rita Morena joked of her acceptance speech backstage at the SAG Awards that "I'm Puerto Rican, I can't even say hell in one minute." Hide Caption 7 of 7

"We don't do movies to get awards," she said. "We do movies to move people."

Rita Moreno accepted the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award on Saturday night.

She and presenter Morgan Freeman fell into their old "Electric Company" roles, pronouncing out "SAG-AFTRA."

Then Moreno got serious.

"It's early in the third act of my life," the 82-year-old Moreno said, and then went into a snippet of "This Is All I Ask": "Let the music play as long as there's a song to sing / And I will stay younger than spring."

'Breaking Bad,' 'Modern Family' win TV honors

Like the Globes, the SAG Awards also nominate television performers.

Nominees for ensemble in a drama were "Boardwalk Empire," "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones" and "Homeland."

"Modern Family" won comedy series ensemble. It's the show's fourth straight SAG Award.

"Veep's" Julia Louis-Dreyfus and "Modern Family's" Ty Burrell won SAG Awards for their performances in TV comedies. Michael Douglas ("Behind the Candelabra") and Helen Mirren ("Phil Spector") also took home trophies.

"Breaking Bad" won drama series ensemble and star Bryan Cranston took home the award for male actor in a drama.

Members of the cast of "Downton Abbey" knew what was coming. Before the show, they responded in unison when asked who was going to win.

" 'Breaking Bad,' " they told CNN.

But "Downton's" Maggie Smith did win for female actor in a drama series.

For performers, the Screen Actors Guild Awards represent recognition from their peers. The trophy is even called "the Actor."

But the red carpet gave those performers some challenges.

Sarah Paulson, who was nominated as part of the ensemble with "12 Years a Slave," was dressed in a somewhat flowy white dress. Complimented on the look, she could only laugh.

"(People will say), what's with your weird princess dress?" she said.

And Lawrence had the line of the night for every person who's ever had to get uncomfortable to look good.

Her Dior couture gown, she said, was "squeezing my breasts into my armpits."