SAG Awards 2013: Hathaway, Hunt, Kidman vie for supporting actress

By Nicole Sperling

Dec. 12, 2012 12 AM PT

Anne Hathaway, in her much-talked about role as Fantine in Tom Hooper’s adaptation of “Les Misérables,” will compete for a Screen Actors Guild award against Helen Hunt (“The Sessions”), Sally Field (“Lincoln”), Nicole Kidman (“The Paperboy”) and Maggie Smith (“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”) in the supporting actress category.

With its nominations Wednesday, the guild rewarded a diverse group of women for their varied performances, though some seemingly likely contenders such as Amy Adams (“The Master”) and Jackie Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”) were overlooked.

Hathaway, 30, who took on the role once performed by her mother on Broadway, has been nominated twice for a SAG, first in 2006 as part of the “Brokeback Mountain” ensemble and again in 2009 for her supporting role in “Rachel Getting Married.”

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“What an honor and a thrill to get love from my fellow actors,” Hathaway said in a statement. “I couldn’t feel happier or prouder to be in this cast -- special congratulations to Hugh! Vive ‘Les Miz!’ and all the SAG nominees!” (Her fellow “Les Miz” star Hugh Jackman was nominated in the lead actor category).

Hunt, 49, was recognized for her challenging role as a sex surrogate in “The Sessions.” The nod marks her third film nomination from the actors. She previously won for her role in “As Good as It Gets.” She also was nominated for her television work on “Mad About You” numerous times.

Wednesday marked the second time that Field, 66, has been nominated for a SAG award in a film category. She was first recognized in 1995 for her role in “Forrest Gump.” She’s been nominated in television five times and won in 2009 for her role in “Brothers & Sisters.”

Kidman is by far the most surprising choice of the bunch, considering her film has garnered only a 39% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has grossed less than $1 million since it opened in October.

“This acknowledgment from my peers means everything to me,” Kidman said in a statement. “I love acting. I love actors. This has absolutely floored me. Thank you so much!”

Kidman, 45, has been nominated by the guild for four previous film roles, including those in “The Hours” and “Rabbit Hole.”

Two-time Academy Award winner Smith, 77, was nominated Wednesday morning by SAG, both for her part in “Marigold” and for her television role in “Downton Abbey.” The British luminary, who plays a retiree who ventures to India with the promise of a cheap retirement option in “Marigold,” previously won a SAG award for her role as part of the ensemble “Gosford Park.”

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