The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (29) threw up a surprise as Viola Davis (pictured) trumped Meryl Streep in the lead actress race for her performance in The Help, while Jean Dujardin claimed the lead actor prize for The Artist.

In a great night for The Help, Davis’ cast-mate Octavia Spencer triumphed in the supporting actress stakes. Christopher Plummer was named best supporting actor for Beginners.

The prize for best cast performance went to The Help.

Following a filmed tribute Dick Van Dyke presented Mary Tyler Moore with SAG’s highest honours, the 48th Annual Life Achievement Award.

Jessica Chastain introduced a film salute to SAG’s regional branches and Meryl Streep introduced a filmed tribute to actors who have died in the last year.

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