The ensemble cast of 2011′s hit drama ‘The Help’ were among the surprising winners at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony, which was held Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center and aired live on TNT and TBS at 8pm ET/5pm PT, presented the Actor statuette for the outstanding film and prime-time television performances of 2011.

The guild, which is often the most accurate predictor of who’s going to win Academy Awards, awarded Viola Davis for her performance as Aibileen Clark in ‘The Help.’ She beat front-runner Meryl Streep, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama for her portrayal of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

‘The Help’ also won Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, beating the favored ‘The Artist.’ However, it is the main category in which analysts say won’t repeat at the Oscars, as the award is expected to be given to the silent comedy-drama.

Jean Dujardin also surprisingly won the Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for his portrayal of George in ‘The Artist.’ He also beat the Golden Globe winner and front-runner in the category, George Clooney, for his role of Matt King in ‘The Descendants.’

In the television categories, the major surprise was Betty White, who said during her acceptance speech that she thought the presenters read the wrong name. She won her second consecutive Outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series award for her role as Elka Ostrovsky in ‘Hot in Cleveland.’ She beat Sofia Vergara and Julie Bowen for ‘Modern Family,’ Tina Fey for ’30 Rock’ and Edie Falco for ‘Nurse Jackie.’

Written by: Karen Benardello