The SAG Awards traditionally kicks off with celebrities shared heartwarming—and sometimes hilarious—anecdotes about acting. Here are the show’s memorable “I am an actor” speeches.

Every year, the SAG Awards kicks off with a handful of celebrities sharing their own history as a performer. What once was Angela Lansbury‘s opening monologue at the 1995 ceremony has since evolved into a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of acting—with each speech ending with the iconic sign-off “I am an actor.”

Take Kaley Cuoco, who said at the 2014 show that “my first acting coach told me I would never make it in this business due to my ‘pots and pans acting,’ which meant loud, annoying, obnoxious and all over the place.”

“I am proud to say, due to my pots and pans acting,” the Big Bang Theory star brazenly continued, “I am an actor.”

One year later, Jennifer Aniston shared how childhood aspirations led her to the TV screen.

“When I was a little girl growing up in New York City, all I ever wanted to be was Scarlett O’Hara,” the Friends alum said of Vivien Leigh’s iconic Gone With the Wind character at the 2015 ceremony. “Oh well. I’m Jennifer Aniston and I am an actor.”

According to the Screen Actors Guild, over 100 actors have participated in the time-honored tradition. So much so, some celebrities have added their own comedic spin to the bit.

“My favorite thing about acting is that it truly allows you to transform yourself into another person,” 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski said at the 2008 ceremony. “I’m Johnny Depp and I’m an actor.”

Likewise, Kristen Bell—who is hosting the 2025 SAG Awards—had a witty punchline when recounting how she used to record Disney songs on a cassette tape in her younger years.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

“I would sing every lyric in the Disney canon knowing and believing that one day, I would be a part of that magic,” the Frozen star said, before joking, “I am a narcissist—sorry—I am an actor.”

And whether it’s an emotional tale about overcoming obstacles to a hilarious joke poking fun of Hollywood life, these speeches have brought tears through the years. Keep reading for all the memorable “I am an actor” moments from the SAG Awards.

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Anne Hathaway

“My first memory of wanting to be an actor came when I saw my mother play the title role in Evita,” the Devil Wears Prada actress shared at the 2006 SAG Awards. “I watched her die on stage and come back to life in time for the applause and I thought, ‘hididdly-dee!’”

She continued, “My name is Anne Hathaway and I’m an actor.”

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Rami Malek

“When I was a kid I used to lock myself in the bathroom and create a collection of characters,” the Mr. Robot star began at the 2016 SAG Awards. “I thought I was insane.”

He added, “My name is Rami Malek—I’m not insane—I’m an actor.”

Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Zach Galifianakis

The Hangover actor feigned forgetfulness when it came time to share his story at the 2015 SAG Awards, joking, “I’m Zach Galifianakis. I’m an Actor?”

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Steve Carell

“On January 15th, 2009 a US Airways pilot named Chesley Sullenberger performed an exacting perfect emergency landing into the icy cold waters of Hudson River,” the Office star said at that year’s ceremony, referencing the famous aircraft incident. “It’s a good thing I was not behind the controls of that plane, because I’m Steve Carell and I’m an actor.”

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Halle Berry

“When I was a teenager, I was a gymnast and I had big dreams of going to the Olympics—wasn’t quite good enough,” the Monster’s Ball actress shared at the 2003 ceremony. “But today, I’m Halle Berry and I’m proud to say I’m an actor.”

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage

Sofía Vergara

“I grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia, in a very traditional Catholic home,” the Modern Family actress began at the 2013 ceremony. “My father told me, that if I ever did anything artistic, I was going to look like a hooker. I told him, ‘With these huge boobs that I inherited from your mother, I already look like a hooker.’”

As the audience roared with laughter, she added, “I am Sofia Vergara and I am an actor.”

Getty Images

John Krasinski

The Office alum recounted his first acting gig during the 2010 SAG Awards, jokingly describing it as “a courageous and controversial firestorm.”

“In sixth grade, I put my craft and my career on the line and performed the role of Daddy Warbucks with a full head of hair,” he quipped of the traditionally bald role. “And I was sure that that performance would have ruined my chances forever of being here tonight and saying I am John Krasinski and I am an actor.”

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage

Mahershala Ali

“Sports were my first love, I went to college on a basketball scholarship and I was never truly fulfilled,” the Moonlight star said at the 2015 SAG Awards. “Then, in my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to act in a play called Spunk. For the first time in my life I felt like I was at home.”

He added, “My name is Mahershala Ali and I am an actor.”

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Jane Krakowski

The 30 Rock actress proved to be quite the acting chameleon at the 2008 SAG Awards, quipping, “My favorite thing about acting is that it truly allows you to transform yourself into another person. I’m Johnny Depp and I’m an actor.”

Kevork Djansezian/WireImage

Ashton Kutcher

“I am a citizen of the world.” the That ’70s Show alum began his 2017 speech. “I’m a professional liar. I play pretend for fun.”

In a subtle nod to wife Mila Kunis, he continued, “I’m afforded the opportunity to show the ugliest, most fearful, most vulnerable parts of myself publicly because privately, someone loves me for those flaws. I am Ashton Kutcher, I am an actor.”

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Will Arnett

“I’ve talked my way out of eleven fights,” the Arrested Development actor quipped at the 2009 show. “I’ve cried more this year than most women do in a lifetime. Wherever I go I seek out a mirror, and when one’s not available I’ll make due with a car window or a dark picture.”

“I’m Will Arnett and I’m an alcoholic,” he added, before quickly correcting himself, “actor!”

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston

“When I was a little girl growing up in New York City, all I ever wanted to be was Scarlett O’Hara,” the Friends alum shared at the 2015 SAG Awards. “Oh well. I’m Jennifer Aniston and I am an actor.”

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Kyle MacLachlan

Referencing his work in Dune, The Doors and Twin Peaks, the actor turned his speech into a Mastercard spoof.

“I’ve ridden gigantic sand worms on the planet Arrakis, played keyboards with Jim Morrison on stage at the Whiskey and tracked down Laura Palmer’s killer,” he said at the 2009 ceremony. “My card? Screen Actors Guild.”

In keeping with tradition, he added, “I’m Kyle MacLachlan, I’m an actor.”

Dan MacMedan/WireImage

Kaley Cuoco

The Big Bang Theory star recounted roadblocks in her acting journey during the 2014 SAG Awards.

“Over 20 years ago, my first acting coach told me I would never make it in this business due to my ‘pots and pans acting,’ which meant loud, annoying, obnoxious and all over the place,” she told the crowd. “I’m Kaley Cuoco and I am proud to say, due to my pots and pans acting, I am an actor.”

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Jon Cryer

“When I was a kid, I agonized about whether I wanted to be an actor when I
grew up, or an astronaut,” the Two and a Half Men actor shared at the 2012 ceremony. “Both of them have their advantages: Actors get to meet and work with the most beautiful women in the world, and astronauts get to spend long-duration space flights in pressure suits filled with their own urine.”

His choice? “I’m Jon Cryer,” he told the crowd, “and I’m an actor.”

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kristen Bell

As host of the 2018 SAG Awards, the Good Place alum kicked off the ceremony by sharing her own acting origin story.

“When I was young, I used to record Disney movies on my cassette player,” she began. “I would sing every lyric in the Disney canon knowing and believing that one day, I would be a part of that magic.”

Not one to let a joke go, she added, “I am Kristen Bell and I am a narcissist—sorry—I am an actor.”