Teyana Taylor Vowed She Wouldn’t Let Leonardo DiCaprio Drown, Michael J. Fox Gets Enthusiastic Applause in Actor Awards “I Am an Actor” Segment

The 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, featured its signature 'I am an actor' segment on Sunday night, streaming live on Netflix, where Teyana Taylor revealed her childhood promise to Leonardo DiCaprio that she wouldn't let him drown like Kate Winslet's character did in Titanic, while Michael J. Fox received enthusiastic applause when discussing how meeting his wife Tracy Pollan on the set of Family Ties led to their four children. Teyana Taylor, who co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in 'One Battle After Another,' shared how her 10-year-old self, a Titanic fan, made a vow that if she ever worked with DiCaprio, she wouldn't let him drown like Jack in the iconic film. Instead, as her character revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills, she joked about running off and robbing a bank while leaving DiCaprio with a baby. The actress, nominated for best supporting actress and as part of the ensemble for 'One Battle After Another,' expressed her delight at finally living out this childhood dream. Michael J. Fox became an emotional highlight of the evening when he received such enthusiastic applause that he had to pause his remarks. He recalled how his role on 'Family Ties' gave him the 'biggest gift' when he met his wife, Tracy Pollan, on set, and how she in turn gave him the gifts of their four children, one of whom accompanied him as his date for the evening. Fox, who recently returned to acting after retiring in 2020 with a guest role in 'Shrinking,' shared this personal story despite not being nominated this year. The segment also featured Kristen Wiig, Kate Hudson, and Delroy Lindo, each sharing their own journeys and insights into their craft. Kristen Wiig read a script while Kate Hudson, with her brother Oliver Hudson making faces over her shoulder, recalled her youth as 'boy crazy,' 'too loud,' and someone who got in trouble for daydreaming and inappropriate dress choices that later became 'marketable skills' as an actress. Delroy Lindo encouraged fellow actors to keep going by reflecting on his past struggles amid his current success. The 'I am an actor' segment dates back to the first Screen Actors Guild Awards in 1995, with Michael Keaton being the first to say 'I'm an actor' at the second ceremony in 1996. The segment expanded from one to five performers in 2003 at the suggestion of then-supervising producer Gloria Fujita O'Brien, who wanted to inspire new talent with multiple stories.