CELEBRATING CLASS ACTS - ‘OUR TRIBE IS MAGNIFICENT'

HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY GATHERED ON THE RED CARPET FOR THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS

- CLARE FISHER

The night of the SAG Awards belonged to national treasure Dame Helen Mirren this year. The acting legend, 76, who looked lovely in a powder-pink gown with matching headband, brought home the Lifetime Achievement Award and joked that her extraordinarily successful career was the result of following the mantra, “Be on time and don’t be an ass.”

Described by Cate Blanchett, 52 – who looked incredible in plunging Armani – as “acting royalty”, Helen joked “Thank you, SAG, [although] I hate to say the word sag at my age.” She also paid tribute to her fellow actors at the ceremony in Santa Monica, California, saying, “Actors, you’re a magnificent tribe, stretching across culture, history and time. This is for the actors.”

Other big winners on the night included Will Smith, 53, who won his first SAG Award – outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role – as Richard Williams in tennis drama