SAG Awards 2025: Where Were Martin Short and Jonathan Bailey?
The glitzy 2025 SAG Awards graced the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on February 23, featuring big names like Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet, who walked away with some shiny new trophies. Gomez’s crew from “Only Murders in the Building” snagged Best Ensemble, while Chalamet won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in “A Complete Unknown.” But not all stars showed up to bask in the limelight. In a bit of a bummer, both Martin Short and Jonathan Bailey were absent, leaving their fans wondering what gives.
Short, who won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series, was sidelined due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, an unfortunate result of the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special. His longtime friend Steve Martin broke the news, but Short still managed to express heartfelt gratitude from home, referencing his work on “Only Murders” as a spectacular honor. Meanwhile, Bailey, with his eyes set on the London stage reprising his role in “Richard II,” couldn’t make it either.
While some were missing, the ceremony was not without its drama or poignancy. Jean Smart, who took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, also skipped out, focusing instead on filming her show “Hacks.” Prior to the event, she publicly voiced her concerns over continuing normalcy in light of the devastating wildfires that had swept through Los Angeles. Many in Hollywood echoed her sentiment, suggesting that the awards circuit should take a step back and consider the impact of such events.
Even hosting duties were up for discussion—Kristen Bell initially doubted the show’s relevance but ultimately recognized its economic importance. “These award shows are a huge part of Los Angeles’ economy,” she noted. This brought to light a critical point: amid celebration, the industry also sustains countless gig workers who rely on big events for income.
And as for Kristen’s husband, Dax Shepard? Let’s just say, parental duties take precedence over a night of glitz and glam. The actress humorously acknowledged that babysitting logistics might keep Dax on the couch instead of mingling with the stars.
Overall, while some stars couldn’t make it to celebrate their peers, the night buzzed with energy as a host of other luminaries stepped out, creating a vibrant, albeit bittersweet atmosphere among the sun-soaked Hollywood hills.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, USA Today
