SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)

For your information: Sudeikis is the only returning nominee from last and also the defending champion. Douglas was nominated for his show’s two previous seasons and is back after its hiatus, and he has a previous win, for “Behind the Candelabra” in 2013, as well as an ensemble prize for “Traffic.” This is the first nomination for the other three, and all five also contend as members of their ensemble. Supporting actors have won this prize seven times in twenty-six years. This category adores repeat winners: between 2001 and 2020, only six different men triumphed. Just two of them – Ty Burrell and Jeffrey Tambor – were one-off winners, while Tony Shalhoub won for two years in a row twice for two separate shows and Alec Baldwin won seven times in a row. Two nominees from one show is a very frequent occurrence, but only twice in the history of this category has it led to one of those men winning – David Hyde Pierce in 1995 and Robert Downey Jr. in 2000. More importantly, this is the fifth time that two shows have earned double nominations, and that has always led to a different performer without fellow costars cited winning. At the Emmys, Sudeikis beat Douglas, and Goldstein won a supporting prize. Neither Martin or Short were eligible.

Who should win? This is a really great list, and anyone winning would make me happy. I’m not sure I have a favorite.

Who will win? While statistics would indicate that Douglas is the one to beat, and I do think it’s possible he could win, I imagine that Sudeikis has enough unquestionable support to net a second consecutive victory.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Nicholas Hoult (The Great), Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Ramy Youssef (Ramy)

Two of last year’s nominees are eligible this time around, and it’s a good bet they’ll be back: Nicholas Hoult (The Great) and Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso). While I’d love to see a few of the former’s costars here too, I think it’s much more likely that we’ll get Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), who could also be joined by any of the three men nominated with him at the Emmys. Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) is a good bet since he was a nominee for his show’s first two seasons, and he could be joined by a handful of past nominees who are eligible: Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and William H. Macy (Shameless). Kenan Thompson (Kenan) was an Emmy nominee, and Matt Barry (What We Do in the Shadows) and Kayvan Novak (What We Do in the Shadows) could benefit from enthusiasm from that awards body for the previous season of that show. Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building) and Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building), both cited by the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Association, seem like good bets.

Current predictions:
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Nicholas Hoult (The Great)
Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building)
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Nicholas Hoult’s gloating monarch (The Great), Dan Levy’s small business owner (Schitt’s Creek), Eugene Levy’s motel manager (Schitt’s Creek), Jason Sudeikis’ giddy coach (Ted Lasso), and Ramy Youssef’s aspiring religious example (Ramy).

For your information: This list is entirely new. Both Levys were nominated last year as part of their ensembles, but otherwise, this is the first SAG mention for all five of these men. Both Levys won Emmys this fall, and Sudeikis and Youssef are the two most recent Golden Globe winners. Two nominees from one show is a very frequent occurrence, but only twice in the history of this category has it led to one of those men winning – David Hyde Pierce in 1995 and Robert Downey Jr. in 2000. Supporting actors have won this prize seven times in twenty-six years. All but Youssef are also nominated as part of their ensembles.

Who should win? I think Sudeikis is terrific but nothing compares for me to Hoult.

Who will win? I think this is a relatively easy win for Sudeikis given the likelihood of the Levys cancelling each other out.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method), Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), Bill Hader (Barry), Andrew Scott (Fleabag), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

None of last year’s nominees are eligible this time, paving the way for an all-new field. Yes, four nominees from 2017 are actually eligible - Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), William H. Macy (Shameless), and Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) – but I wouldn’t expect any of them to show up. Instead, look for both Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek) and Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek) after their show earned other nominations last year. Ramy Youssef (Ramy) and Mahershala Ali (Ramy) are also possible, but I’m not sure if SAG voters will embrace the show. Matt Barry (What We Do in the Shadows) or Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) might earn bids, but I’d look instead at new series stars like Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) or Nicholas Hoult (The Great). It may also be time for eighteen-time Emmy nominee Ted Danson (The Good Place) to earn his first-ever SAG bid for the final four episodes of his show that aired in 2020.

Current predictions:
Nicholas Hoult (The Great)
Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
Ramy Youssef (Ramy)

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Alan Arkin’s grieving agent (The Kominsky Method), Michael Douglas’ aging acting teacher (The Kominsky Method), Bill Hader’s hitman-turned-actor (Barry), Andrew Scott’s foul-mouthed priest (Fleabag), and Tony Shalhoub’s obsessive husband (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).

For your information: Last year brought five new nominees, and now we have only one, in the form of Scott, who earns his first bid. Shalhoub, who was last year’s winner, was nominated seven times in 2002 and 2009 for “Monk,” winning twice. Arkin has two individual film nominations, for “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Argo,” and won as part of both ensembles. Douglas won both of his previous bids, an ensemble prize for the film “Traffic” and in 2013 for his starring role in the TV movie “Behind the Candelabra.” Hader, who won the Critics’ Choice Award and two consecutive Emmys, was nominated for the first time last year. The Golden Globe winner, Ramy Youssef, isn’t nominated. All five men contend as part of their ensembles. Of the eight times that two men from the same show were nominated and the one time three were, not one of them resulted in a win.

Who should win? I like all these a lot. Hader is very strong, and both Douglas and Arkin have superb comic timing. Shalhoub is fantastic as always, but I’d love to see Scott win for a truly terrific turn.

Who will win? I’m sure many would like to see Scott win as I would, and Hader might have a shot without his costar nominated this year, but I think Shalhoub will repeat.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 4/5, missing Scott
Who’s missing? Henry Winkler (Barry), Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Ben Platt (The Politician), Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself), Ramy Youssef (Ramy)

I predicted last year’s exact lineup, which didn’t happen, but it came close! Honestly, I’m fine with Winkler, who earned a repeat Golden Globe bid on Monday, being replaced by Andrew Scott (Fleabag), who rebounded from an Emmy snub with a very well-deserved mention here and at the Globes. Despite not being nominated by the Globes, last year’s winner in this race, Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is back, along with another Emmy winner, Bill Hader (Barry), and costars Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method) and Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method). All five of these men are also nominated as part of their ensembles. I have some catching up to do with the most recent seasons Shalhoub’s show and Arkin’s and Douglas’, but I’m excited about this list.

Who will win? I think maybe Scott wins this for the Hot Priest unless Shalhoub repeats.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method), Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), Bill Hader (Barry), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Henry Winkler (Barry)

All five of last year’s nominees are eligible again this year, and there’s not much reason to suspect that they won’t be back. Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) triumphed here last year, and the late premiere of his show wasn’t a problem last year, so it shouldn’t be this time. Bill Hader (Barry) and Henry Winkler (Barry) enjoyed a well-received second season, and the same is true for Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) and Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method). SAG doesn’t tend to embrace new shows right away, with the two series just mentioned as the exceptions, and so it’s unlikely that, say, Ben Platt (The Politician), Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself), or Don Cheadle (Black Monday) will make the cut. It’s likelier that Ted Danson (The Good Place) will finally get nominated, or the popular Emmy-snubbed supporting actor Andrew Scott (Fleabag) will make the cut instead. I’m going to predict the same exact lineup as last year.

Current predictions:
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Bill Hader (Barry)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Alan Arkin’s grieving agent (The Kominsky Method), Michael Douglas’ aging acting teacher (The Kominsky Method), Bill Hader’s hitman-turned-actor (Barry), Tony Shalhoub’s obsessive professor (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Henry Winkler’s theatrical acting teacher (Barry).

For your information: We have a brand new slate of nominees this year, including four from two freshman series, despite four of last year’s six men still being eligible. Shalhoub was nominated seven times in 2002 and 2009 for “Monk,” winning twice. Arkin has two individual film nominations, for “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Argo,” and won as part of both ensembles. Douglas won both of his previous bids, an ensemble prize for the film “Traffic” and in 2013 for his starring role in the TV movie “Behind the Candelabra.” Winkler contended as part of the ensemble on “Arrested Development” in 2013, and this is Hader’s first nomination. All five men are also nominated as part of their ensembles this year. William H. Macy, who won this award three times in the past four years, is not nominated this year. Of the seven times that two men from the same show were nominated and the one time three were, not one of them resulted in a win. This is, however, the first time that more than one show has had multiple nominees, so all bets are off. Hader and Winkler both won Emmys and Critics’ Choice Awards, while Douglas took home the Globe, though this is the first time they’re all nominated in one field.

Who should win? I watch all these shows, and everyone nominated here is superb! I’m actually pulling for Hader since I think he’s great, and I’d be very happy with Shalhoub too, though honestly any of them are perfectly fine.

Who will win? It’s very hard to say with so much competition. I’m going to pick Shalhoub very tentatively.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 3/5, missing Arkin and Shalhoub
Who’s missing? William H. Macy (Shameless), Donald Glover (Atlanta), Ted Danson (The Good Place), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), Marc Maron (GLOW), Jim Carrey (Kidding)

This is a cool category, dismissing its three eligible nominees and replacing them with five fresh faces, only one of whom is from a sophomore show. Not only that, but three are supporting. Macy is gone, and no luck for Danson or his show, which is a shame. Glover also missed out even though his show made the cut in ensemble. Instead, we get two new hits with two faces apiece: Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method) and Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), which I really need to watch past episode two, and Bill Hader (Barry) and Henry Winkler (Barry), both of whom took home Emmys this past year. Rounding out the list is Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), who has two cast members nominated in the actress race. All five of these men are nominated as part of their ensemble, which is really very rare. A great list of talents!

Who will win? It’s hard to know out of such a stacked list. My bet is that Shalhoub surprises.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Aziz Ansari (Master of None), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), William H. Macy (Shameless), Marc Maron (GLOW)

Both Ansari and David won’t be back since their shows didn’t produce new episodes this past year. William H. Macy (Shameless) won this award three out of the past four years, and it’s unlikely that he’d be snubbed now given SAG voters’ love for the familiar, even if he did miss out on a Globe nomination this year. The same goes for Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), while the return of Marc Maron (GLOW) is less certain. The past two Emmy winners, Donald Glover (Atlanta) and Bill Hader (Barry), are likely to be recognized by SAG for the first time this year. New Globe nominees Jim Carrey (Kidding) and Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) both stand a chance even though freshman series are rarely welcomed into this category, and, though he missed out on a Globe nomination, Ted Danson (The Good Place) seems like a friendly face to join this field. Supporting actors Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method) and Henry Winkler (Barry) might also find themselves honored.

Current predictions:
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Bill Hader (Barry)
William H. Macy (Shameless)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Anthony Anderson’s proud patriarch (Black-ish), Aziz Ansari’s smooth talker (Master of None), Larry David’s major complainer (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Sean Hayes’ excitable neighbor (Will and Grace), William H. Macy’s depraved patriarch (Shameless), and Marc Maron’s wrestling producer (GLOW).

For your information: Anderson and Macy are the only nominees back from last year. Anderson is on his second bid. Macy, now on his fourth consecutive nomination, won in 2014 and 2016, in addition to a win for “Door to Door” and a few other TV and film bids. This is the first nomination for both Ansari and Maron. Hayes was nominated five time in a row starting in 2000, winning three times, and he also contended for TV movie “Martin and Lewis.” David was nominated in 2005 and 2009 for this role. Anderson, David, and Maron all contend as part of their ensembles. Ansari won the Golden Globe, but he was only up against two of the men in this category.

Who should win? I don’t regularly watch Anderson’s show and didn’t stay with Maron’s past the first episode. I like Hayes a lot, though Ansari would probably get my vote.

Who will win? I think three-time winner Hayes gets a fourth trophy, though the fact that he’s the only one here from his show makes me less confident. It could easily be Macy again too.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 4/6, picking McCormack over David and Maron
Who’s missing? Jeffrey Tambor, Tituss Burgess, Ty Burrell, Eric McCormack, Kevin Bacon,

I didn’t even notice that Burrell missed out on a nod (as did his show) after seven nominations, out along with Burgess and Tambor, making way for a list of mostly returning nominees. Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) is the only member of his cast to return after his show’s long hiatus, and this six-time nominee and three-time winner shouldn’t be underestimated. Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) is also back after bids in 2005 and 2009, along with his show’s ensemble, which is a bit strange. Two-time winner and reigning champ William H. Macy (Shameless) is back, and how nice it would have been for his show to score an ensemble bid. Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) returns after joining the list last year, and I’m so thrilled for Aziz Ansari (Master of None). And this year’s left-field inclusion is Marc Maron (GLOW), who was interesting in the pilot of that show and who I don’t think anyone expected to show up here. This is a decent list to be sure even if it’s not who I would have picked.

Who will win? I’d go with Hayes over Macy or Ansari.

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Anthony Anderson’s proud patriarch (Black-ish), Tituss Burgess’ flamboyant performer (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Ty Burrell’s goofy dad (Modern Family), William H. Macy’s depraved patriarch (Shameless), and Jeffrey Tambor’s transgender parent (Transparent).

For your information: Tambor, who won last year, is on his second consecutive nomination. Macy, who won the year before that, is on number three. Burrell, who won the year before that, is now on his seventh consecutive nomination. Anderson and Burgess are new to the race. Only Anderson and Burrell are also nominated as part of their ensembles.

Who should win: This is a fun list. I think I’d vote for Macy, Burgess, or Tambor this year.

Who will win: I suspect that Anderson may triumph, though Tambor could easily repeat.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 4/5, picking Parsons over Burgess
Who’s missing: Louie Anderson (Baskets), Donald Glover (Atlanta), Thomas Haden Church (Divorce), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

So at least my theory held here. We had three of last year’s nominees - Ty Burrell (Modern Family), William H. Macy (Shameless), and Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent). One nominee, Parsons, was dismissed, but his show is still up for the ensemble prize. In his place we got two new nominees, both from shows that are not in their first eligible years – hence snubs for Anderson and Glover. Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) is in with his show also nominated in the ensemble race, and Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is here along with costar Ellie Kemper, and I think those are both fun choices. This is a solid list.

Who could win? Last year it went to Tambor, and I think he’ll take it again this year.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Louis C.K. (Louie), William H. Macy (Shameless), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent).

The rundown: Four of the five nominees from last year were holdovers from the year before, with Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) swapped out for Tambor, who was snubbed for his show’s first season. C.K. is out because his show didn’t air this past year. I wouldn’t count on other supporting players to pose real threats, but it’s possible that Donald Glover (Atlanta) may be just what SAG voters have in mind. Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) could show up too, and maybe a contender snubbed by the Globes, Thomas Haden Church (Divorce), could show up too, even though SAG voters don’t tend to love freshman series. Louie Anderson (Baskets) won a supporting Emmy, but I’m not sure I see him showing up in this race.

Current predictions: Anderson, Burrell, Macy, Parsons, Tambor

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Ty Burrell’s goofy dad (Modern Family), Louis C.K.’s wry comedian (Louie), William H. Macy’s depraved patriarch (Shameless), Jim Parsons’ stuck-up scientist (The Big Bang Theory), and Jeffrey Tambor’s transgender parent (Transparent).

For your information: Tambor is the only new addition to this race, as the Golden Globe and Emmy winner secures his first-ever solo SAG nomination. Macy won last year on his first nomination for this role, though he was nominated four times before that for TV movie and film work. Burrell won in 2014, and this is his sixth consecutive nomination. This is Parson’s fourth consecutive nomination for this role, and C.K.’s third nomination for this role. Burrell, Parsons, and Tambor are all nominated as part of their shows’ ensembles, and C.K. is recognized as a member of the “Trumbo” film ensemble (though what a terrible performance that was). Before Macy and Burrell won, Alec Baldwin took home this award seven years in a row for all but the last season of “30 Rock.”

Who should win: Macy or Tambor

Who will win: He wasn’t nominated last year, so I think it’s Tambor’s turn to win.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 5/5
Who’s missing: Will Forte, Eric Stonestreet

I scored 100% on this category too, which just swapped out Stonestreet for Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent), who didn’t get nominated last year despite winning the Golden Globe and SAG. Interestingly, most people haven’t actually seen Tambor’s work in season two since it premieres this Friday, and I may not have finished the season before these awards air. Either way, it’s good to see him here, joining returning nominees Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Louis C.K. (Louie), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and last year’s winner William H. Macy (Shameless).

Who could win? Now that he’s nominated, Tambor.

SAG Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Louis C.K. (Louie), William H. Macy (Shameless), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family).

The rundown: All five of these nominees could be back again this year, though other awards bodies have shown themselves to be less enthusiastic about “Modern Family” and “The Big Bang Theory” recently. The likeliest contender to infiltrate their ranks is an actor snubbed last year, Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent). Emmy nominees like Tony Hale (Veep), Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth), and Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) could show up too, as could any number of potential new nominees.

Current predictions: Burrell, C.K., Macy, Parsons, Tambor

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

The competition: Ty Burrell’s goofy dad (Modern Family), Louis C.K.’s wry comedian (Louie), William H. Macy’s depraved patriarch (Shameless), Jim Parsons’ stuck-up scientist (The Big Bang Theory), and Eric Stonestreet’s flamboyant music teacher (Modern Family).

For your information: “30 Rock” is gone, but the one man who ever beat Alec Baldwin – Burrell – is back. This is his fifth consecutive nomination. Stonestreet, who wasn’t nominated last year, is back with his third overall nomination. Parsons is also on his third nomination. C.K. wasn’t eligible last year but was nominated the year before that. Macy has been nominated once for film work three times for TV movie and miniseries work. He won in 2002 for “Door to Door.” Burrell, Parsons, and Stonestreet are all nominated as part of their ensembles. The Golden Globe winner in the corresponding category, Jeffrey Tambor, isn’t nominated here.

Who should win: Burrell or Macy

Who will win: It will probably be Burrell again, though multiple Emmy winner Parsons could break through too.

SAG Nominees: Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

My predictions: 3/5, missing Macy and Stonestreet
Who’s missing? Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent), Don Cheadle (House of Lies)

So much for Amazon being the new Netflix. Tambor and his show are nowhere to be found, which is a shame, but another deserving actor - William H. Macy (Shameless) - joins the bunch, but it’s a shame that he’s finally being recognized for comedy when his show is actually now a drama. Last year’s nominee Cheadle is bumped for Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), returning after a year off for his third nomination, to join costar Ty Burrell (Modern Family), who finally dethroned Alec Baldwin last year. Louis C.K. (Louie) is back after his show was on hiatus for a year, and Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) is back for nomination number three. Not much to say here – this is a fine if not exactly current list.

Who could win? I think Burrell will triumph again, but three-time Emmy champ Parsons might win here for the first time.