Meryl Streep named Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild awards

Meryl Streep named Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild awards

Meryl Streep was named Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild awards.

The 59-year-old actress was amazed to receive the prestigious accolade for her role in drama ‘Doubt’ – in which she plays a nun who suspects a priest is abusing a boy - and admitted she had not even bought a new dress as she didn’t think she would win.

Accepting the award, Meryl – who wore black trousers to the ceremony - said: “I didn't even buy a dress. I'm really, really shocked.

“There is no such thing as the best actress. There is no such thing as the greatest living actress. I am in a position where I have secret information that I know this to be true. I am so in awe of the work of the women this year – nominated, not nominated – so proud of us girls. Everybody wins when we get parts like this.”

Sean Penn was named Best Actor for his role in ‘Milk’ - which tells the story of Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official - and took the opportunity to talk about how important the movie is to him.

He said: “As actors, we don't play gay/straight, we play human beings. This is a story about equal rights for all human beings.”

The cast of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ – made by British director Danny Boyle – won the Outstanding Cast prize, which is seen as a foreshadow of the prestigious Best Picture awards at the Oscars.

Kate Winslet – who recently received two Golden Globe awards – was named Best Supporting Actress for her part in ‘The Reader’.

She said: “It's really an honour to be included in what, I think, is such a remarkable year in film.”

Heath Ledger – who died of an accidental prescription drugs overdose last January – was posthumously honoured in the Best Supporting Actor category for his turn as The Joker in Batman movie ‘The Dark Knight’.

Co-star Gary Oldman accepted the award for Heath, saying: “I am quite emotional. It is a great honour to be asked to accept this on behalf of Heath. He was an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent, and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honoured that talent tonight. On behalf of Heath, his family and his family on ‘The Dark Knight’, I thank you.”

2009 Screen Actors Guild awards full list of winners:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn – ‘Milk’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep – ‘Doubt’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger – ‘The Dark Knight’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Kate Winslet – ‘The Reader’

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: ‘The Dark Knight’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Hugh Laurie – ‘House M.D’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Sally Field – ‘Brothers and Sisters’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin – ‘30 Rock’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey – ‘30 Rock’

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: ‘Mad Men’

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: ‘30 Rock’

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti – ‘John Adams’

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Laura Linney – ‘John Adams’

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series: ‘Heroes’