For media inquiries about the 2026 Writers Guild Awards New York City show, please contact Jason Gordon at jgordon@wgaeast.org.
The 78th Annual Writers Guild Awards
Date:
Sunday
March 08, 2026
Location:
Edison Ballroom
240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Nominees
Original Screenplay
Black Bag
Written by David Koepp; Focus Features
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Written by Mary Bronstein; A24
Marty Supreme
Written by Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie; A24
Sinners
Written by Ryan Coogler; Warner Bros. Pictures
Weapons
Written by Zach Cregger; Warner Bros. Pictures
Adapted Screenplay
Bugonia
Screenplay by Will Tracy, Based on the Film Save the Green Planet Written and Directed by Jang Joon Hwan and Produced by Sidus; Focus Features
Frankenstein
Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro, Based on Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley; Netflix
Hamnet
Screenplay by Chloe Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell, Based on the Novel Written by Maggie O’Farrell; Focus Features
One Battle After Another
Screenplay by Paul Thomas Anderson, Screen Story by Paul Thomas Anderson, Inspired by the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon; Warner Bros. Pictures
Train Dreams
Screenplay by Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Based on the Novella by Denis Johnson; Netflix
Documentary Screenplay
2,000 Meters to Andriivka
Written by Mstyslav Chernov; Frontline Features
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Written by Bernard MacMahon & Allison McGourty; Sony Pictures Classics
White with Fear
Written by Andrew Goldberg; Area23A
Drama Series
Andor
Written by Tom Bissell, Dan Gilroy, Tony Gilroy, Beau Willimon; Disney+
The Pitt
Written by Cynthia Adarkwa, Simran Baidwan, Valerie Chu, R. Scott Gemmill, Elyssa Gershman, Joe Sachs, Noah Wyle; HBO | Max
Pluribus
Written by Vera Blasi, Jenn Carroll, Vince Gilligan, Jonny Gomez, Peter Gould, Ariel Levine, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock; Apple TV
Severance
Written by Adam Countee, Mohamad El Masri, Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman, Anna Ouyang Moench, K.C. Perry, Megan Ritchie, Erin Wagoner, Beau Willimon, Wei-Ning Yu; Apple TV
The White Lotus
Written by Mike White; HBO | Max
Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Written by Quinta Brunson, Ava Coleman, Lizzy Darrell, Riley Dufurrena, Justin Halpern, Joya McCrory, Chad Morton, Morgan Murphy, Brittani Nichols, Rebekka Pesqueira, Kate Peterman, Brian Rubenstein, Patrick Schumacker, Justin Tan, Jordan Temple, Garrett Werner; ABC
The Chair Company
Written by Zach Kanin, Gary Richardson, Tim Robinson, Marika Sawyer, Sarah Schneider, John Solomon; HBO | Max
Hacks
Written by Genevieve Aniello, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jess Dweck, Ariel Karlin, Andrew Law, Carolyn Lipka, Joe Mande, Aisha Muharrar, Pat Regan, Samantha Riley, Jen Statsky; HBO | Max
The Rehearsal
Written by Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Adam Locke-Norton, Eric Notarnicola; HBO | Max
The Studio
Written by Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Frida Perez, Seth Rogen; Apple TV
New Series
The Chair Company
Written by Zach Kanin, Gary Richardson, Tim Robinson, Marika Sawyer, Sarah Schneider, John Solomon; HBO | Max
The Pitt
Written by Cynthia Adarkwa, Simran Baidwan, Valerie Chu, R. Scott Gemmill, Elyssa Gershman, Joe Sachs, Noah Wyle; HBO | Max
Pluribus
Written by Vera Blasi, Jenn Carroll, Vince Gilligan, Jonny Gomez, Peter Gould, Ariel Levine, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock; Apple TV
The Studio
Written by Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Frida Perez, Seth Rogen; Apple TV
Task
Written by Brad Ingelsby & David Obzud; HBO | Max
Limited Series
The Beast in Me,
Written by Howard Gordon, C.A. Johnson, Ali Liebegott, Daniel Pearle, Gabe Rotter, Erika Sheffer, Mike Skerrett; Netflix
Black Rabbit
Written by Zach Baylin, Sarah Gubbins, Kate Susman, Andrew Hinderaker, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Carlos Rios; Netflix
Death by Lightning
Written by Mike Makowsky; Netflix
Dying for Sex
Written by Sheila Callaghan, Harris Danow, Madeleine George, Elizabeth Meriwether, Kim Rosenstock, Sasha Stewart, Sabrina Wu, Keisha Zollar; FX/Hulu
Sirens
Written by Bekah Brunstetter, Dan LeFranc, Colin McKenna, Molly Smith Metzler; Netflix
TV & Streaming Motion Pictures
The Best You Can
Written by Michael J. Weithorn; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Deep Cover
Written by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow; Prime Video
The Life List
Screenplay by Adam Brooks, Based on the novel by Lori Nelson Spielman; Netflix
Swiped
Written by Bill Parker & Rachel Lee Goldenberg and Kim Caramele; Hulu
Animation
“Abe League of Their Moe” (The Simpsons)
Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox
“Don’t Worry, Be Hoopy” (Bob’s Burgers)
Written by Lindsey Stoddart; Fox
“It’s a Beef-derful Life” (The Great North)
Written by Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin & Wendy Molyneux; Fox
“Parahormonal Activity” (The Simpsons)
Written by Loni Steele Sosthand; Fox
“Scared Screenless” (Futurama)
Written by Bill Odenkirk; Hulu
“Shira Can’t Cook” (Long Story Short)
Written by Mehar Sethi; Netflix
Episodic Drama
“7:00 A.M.” (The Pitt)
Written by R. Scott Gemmill; HBO | Max
“A Still Small Voice” (Task)
Written by Brad Ingelsby; HBO | Max
“Charm Offensive” (Pluribus)
Written by Jonny Gomez; Apple TV
“Execution” (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Written by Eric Tuchman; Hulu
“Got Milk” (Pluribus)
Written by Ariel Levine; Apple TV
“Reunion” (Forever)
Written by Mara Brock Akil; Netflix
Episodic Comedy
“A Call from God” (Mo)
Written by Mohammed Amer & Harris Danow; Netflix
“Pilot’s Code” (The Rehearsal)
Written by Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Adam Locke-Norton, Eric Notarnicola; HBO | Max
“Prelude” (The Righteous Gemstones)
Written by John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley, Danny R. McBride; HBO | Max
“The Promotion” (The Studio)
Written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg & Peter Huyck & Alex Gregory & Frida Perez; Apple TV
“The Sleazy Georgian” (Poker Face)
Written by Megan Amram; Peacock
“Worms” (The Bear)
Written by Ayo Edebiri & Lionel Boyce; FX/Hulu
Comedy/Variety Series — Talk or Sketch
The Daily Show
Head Writer: Dan Amira Senior Writers: Lauren Sarver Means, Daniel RadoshWriters: David Angelo, Nicole Conlan, Devin Delliquanti, Zach DiLanzo, Jennifer Flanz, Jason Gilbert, Dina Hashem, Scott Hercman, Josh Johnson, David Kibuuka, Matt Koff, Matt O’Brien, Joe Opio, Randall Otis, Zhubin Parang, Kat Radley, Lanee’ Sanders, Scott Sherman, Jon Stewart, Ashton Womack, Sophie Zucker; Comedy Central
Have I Got News for You
Head Writer: Mason Steinberg; Writers: Jim Biederman, Daniel Chamberlain, Jodi Lennon, Michael Pielocik, Jill Twiss; CNN, HBO | Max
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Senior Writers: Daniel O’Brien, Owen Parsons, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Seena Vali; Writers: Johnathan Appel, Ali Barthwell, Tim Carvell, Liz Hynes, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, John Oliver, Taylor Kay Phillips, Chrissy Shackelford; HBO | Max
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Head Writer: Alex Baze; Supervising Writers: Seth Reiss, Mike Scollins; Closer Look Supervising Writer: Sal Gentile; Writers: Jermaine Affonso, Bryan Donaldson, Matt Goldich, Jenny Hagel, John Lutz, Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin, Mike Shoemaker, Ben Warheit, Jeff Wright; NBC
Saturday Night Live
Head Writers: Alison Gates, Erik Kenward, Streeter Seidell, Kent Sublette;Senior Writer: Bryan Tucker; Supervising Writers: Dan Bulla, Will Stephen, Auguste White, Celeste Yim; Writers: Steven Castillo, Michael Che, Mike DiCenzo, Jimmy Fowlie, Sudi Green, Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Allie Levitan, Ben Marshall, Lorne Michaels, Jake Nordwind, Ceara O’Sullivan, Moss Perricone, Carl Tart, Asha Ward; Weekend Update Head Writer: Pete Schultz; Weekend Update Writers: Rosebud Baker, Megan Callahan-Shah, Dennis McNicholas, Josh Patten, KC Shornima; NBC
They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce
Writers: Andy Blitz, Kevin Dorff, Jon Glaser, Tami Sagher; ESPN
Comedy/Variety Specials
82nd Annual Golden Globes
Written by Barry Adelman, Nefetari Spencer, Mike Gibbons, Brian Frange, Sean O’Connor, Alex Baze, Bob Castrone, Chris Convy, Anna Drezen, Jess Dweck, Noah Garfinkel, Lauren Greenberg, Ben Hoffman, Ian Karmel, Andrew Law, Mike Lawrence, Jon Macks, Bonnie McFarlane, Chris Spencer, Matt Whitaker; NBC
The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: MAGA: The Next Generation
Written by Ian Berger, Devin Delliquanti, Jen Flanz, Jordan Klepper, Zhubin Parang, Scott Sherman; Comedy Central
Marc Maron: Panicked
Written by Marc Maron; HBO | Max
Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Written by Jon Macks, Chris Convy, Lauren Greenberg, Skyler Higley, Ian Karmel, Sean O’Connor; Netflix
SNL50: The Anniversary Special
Written by James Anderson, Dan Bulla, Megan Callahan Shah, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Mike DiCenzo, James Downey, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fowlie, Alison Gates, Sudi Green, Jack Handey, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Dennis McNicholas, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Jake Nordwind, Ceara O’Sullivan, Josh Patten, Paula Pell, Simon Rich, Pete Schultz, Streeter Seidell, Emily Spivey, Kent Sublette, Bryan Tucker, Auguste White; NBC
Quiz and Audience Participation
Celebrity Jeopardy!
Head Writer: Robert Patton Writers: Kyle Beakley, Michael Davies, Terence Gray, Amy Ozols, Tim Siedell, David Levinson-Wilk; ABC
Jeopardy!
Writers: Marcus Brown, Buzzy Cohen, Michael Davies, John Duarte, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Jim Rhine, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Amy Ozols, Billy Wisse; ABC
Daytime Drama
Beyond the Gates
Writers: Sara A. Bibel, Jazmen Darnell Brown, Ron Carlivati, Susan Dansby, Cheryl L. Davis, Christopher Dunn, Robert Guza Jr., Gregori J. Martin, Lynn Martin, Danielle Paige, Judy Tate, Michele Val Jean, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS
General Hospital
Head Writers: Elizabeth Korte, Chris Van Etten; Writers: Cathy LePard, Emily Culliton, Nigel Campbell, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Kate Hall, Stacey Pulwer, Ryan Quan, Louise Rozett, Scott Sickles, Micah Steinberg; ABC
The Young and the Restless
Associate Head Writers: Jeff Beldner, Marla Kanelos, Dave Ryan; Writers: Susan Banks, Amanda L. Beall, Marin Gazzaniga, Rebecca McCarty, Madeleine Phillips; CBS/Paramount +
Children's Episodic, Long Form and Specials
The First Snow of Fraggle Rock
Written by Matt Fusfeld & Alex Cuthbertson; Apple TV
“Stay Out of the Basement: Part I” (Goosebumps)
Written by Rob Letterman, Hilary Winston; Disney+
Merry Giftmas
Written by Halcyon Person; Netflix
“I Play Dodgeball with Cannibals” (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Written by Craig Silverstein, Rick Riordan; Disney+
“When We Lose Someone” (Tab Time)
Written by Sean Presant; YouTube
Short Form Streaming
The Rabbit Hole with Jimmy Kimmel
Writers: Jimmy Kimmel & Jesse Joyce; YouTube
Sesame Street YouTube: Take a Moment with Jonathan Bailey
Written by Andrew Moriarty; YouTube
Documentary Script – Current Events
“Syria After Assad” (Frontline)
Written by Martin Smith; PBS
“The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram” (Frontline)
Written by Thomas Jennings and A.C. Thompson; PBS
“The Rise of RFK Jr.” (Frontline)
Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS
“Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law” (Frontline)
Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS
Documentary Script – Other Than Current Events
“Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act” (American Experience)
Written by Chana Gazit; PBS
“Clearing the Air: The War on Smog” (American Experience)
Written by Peter Yost & Edna Alburquerque; PBS
“Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP” (American Experience)
Written by Rob Rapley; PBS
Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s
Written by Jason Sussberg; PBS
“Mr. Polaroid” (American Experience)
Written by Gene Tempest; PBS
News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report
“Devastating Flooding in Texas” (World News Tonight with David Muir)
Written by David Muir, Karen Mooney, and Dave Bloch; ABC News
“The L.A. Wildfires” (World News Tonight with David Muir)
Written by David Muir, Dave Bloch, and Karen Mooney; ABC News
News Script — Analysis, Feature, or Commentary
Eye on America: Coldwater Creek
Written by Cait Bladt; CBS News
Gaza, Hannah Arendt, and The Banality of Evil
Written by Basel Hamdan; MSNBC
“Mysterious Russian Deaths” (60 Minutes)
Written by Michael Rey, Cecilia Vega, Oriana Zill de Granados; CBS News
Remembering Palestinian Journalists Killed by Israeli Forces
Written by Lisa Salinas; MSNBC
“Uphill Battle” (CBS News Sunday Morning)
Written by Richard Buddenhagen, Kay Lim, Lesley Stahl; CBS News
Digital News
Altadena Residents Know Their Community Is Worth Rebuilding. Can They Protect Its Legacy?
Written by Taiyler Mitchell; HuffPost
American Siberia
Written by Alexander Sammon; Slate
An Isolated Boarding School Promised to Help Troubled Girls. Former Students Say They Were Abused.
Written by Sebastian Murdock and Taiyler Mitchell; HuffPost
How Cassie’s Lawsuit Against Diddy Galvanized A Movement of Survivors
Written by Njera Perkins and Taiyler Mitchell; HuffPost
Trump Sent Them to Hell. Now He’s Erasing Them Altogether.
Written by Matt Shuham and Jessica Schulberg; HuffPost
Radio/Audio Documentary
“Episode 2: A Game of Telephone” (Camp Swamp Road)
Written by Heather Rogers, Rachel Humphreys, Colin McNulty; Spotify
“Jerry Lewis’ Lost Holocaust Clown Movie” (Decoder Ring)
Written by Max Freedman; Slate
“Why Women Kill” (What Next)
Written by Mary Harris and Elena Schwartz; Slate
Radio/Audio News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report
ABC News Radio Top of the Hour News
Written by Robert Hawley; ABC News Radio
CBS World News Roundup
Written by Paul Farry and Steve Kathan; CBS News
“Hasan Piker Knew Charlie Kirk” (What Next)
Written by Mary Harris and Madeline Ducharme; Slate
Radio/Audio News Script — Analysis, Feature, or Commentary
How Will We Feed Our Neighbors?
Written by Mary Harris and Anna Phillips; Slate
The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter
Written by Gail Lee; CBS News Radio
We Made a Memecoin
Written by Lizzie O’Leary, Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort; Slate
On-Air Promotion
Behind the Crown: King & Conqueror EPK
Written by Molly Neylan; CBS
CBS Comedy
Written by Dan Greenberger; CBS
Voting
Preliminary voting has ended.
Members in good standing are eligible to vote for the nominees of Writers Guild Awards in the following categories:
Original Screenplay • Adapted Screenplay • Dramatic Series • Comedy Series • Limited Series • New Series
- Preliminary voting schedule
- Begins Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 1PM ET
- Ends Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3PM ET
- Final voting
- Begins Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1PM ET
- Ends Friday, February 13, 2026 at 3PM ET
Voting will be conducted online. To vote, log in using your last name and your 5- or 8-digit WGA member ID number.
Vote NowVoting Process
Each year, current members in good standing vote to determine the nominees (by preliminary vote) and the winners (by final vote) of the Writers Guild Awards for certain categories.
Voting for the Writers Guild Awards is conducted in two (2) rounds:
- Preliminary voting determines nominees.
- Final voting determines winners.
Voting is conducted online.
If you are having technical issues with the ballot, please contact Votenet via email at help@eballot.com, or by telephone during business hours, M-F 9am – 5pm ET at 1-866-543-8750.
Contact awards@wgaeast.org for additional information.
Honorary Awards
Stephen Colbert — Walter Bernstein Award
Stephen Colbert serves as host, writer and executive producer on the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning #1 late night show THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT. Earlier in his career, Colbert was a correspondent on Comedy Central’s THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART from 1997 to 2005 and the host of THE COLBERT REPORT from 2005 to 2014.
In a statement, Stephen Colbert said “It’s a great honor to receive the Walter Bernstein award from our Guild, and I assume this is mostly for my work on The Dana Carvey Show (possibly available on Blu-Ray!)”
The honorary award will be presented to Colbert by Robert Smigel (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, TRIUMPH THE INSULT COMIC DOG).
Terry George — Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement
A Guild member since 1989, George’s first credit came as the co-writer of the acclaimed feature film IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, which was co-written and directed by Jim Sheridan and starred Daniel Day Lewis. The film earned Best Adapted Screenplay nominations at the Academy Awards and Writers Guild Awards. IN THE NAME OF MY FATHER marked George’s first of three collaborations with Sheridan chronicling “The Troubles” conflict in Northern Ireland, including 1996’s SOME MOTHER’S SON and 1998’s THE BOXER.
George co-wrote and directed the 2004 masterpiece HOTEL RWANDA, which tells the harrowing true story of a hotelier’s attempt to use their property to save the lives of thousands of refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and Writers Guild Award for Best Original Screenplay, and was named to American Film Institute as one of the 100 most inspirational movies of all time.
In 2012, George, along with his daughter Oorlagh George, won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for THE SHORE.
His other credits include co-creating the television police procedural THE DISTRICT, co-writing the 2002 film HART’S WAR and in 2007 he co-wrote and directed the film RESERVATION ROAD. His most recent work includes the 2012 film WHOLE LOT OF SOLE and the 2016 film THE PROMISE.
Diana Son — Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service to the Guild
A Writers Guild of America East member since 1999, Son is a showrunner and Writers Guild Awards and Emmy-nominated writer for television, and an award-winning playwright. She has been co-emcee of the WGAE’s Showrunner Academy since its inception in 2021. The Academy is one of Guild’s signature training programs and is designed to support television writer-producers, upper-level writers and new show creators in honing the skills necessary to become successful showrunners and leaders in today’s television industry. Specific to the unique landscape and needs of the East Coast, the WGAE Showrunner Academy provides invaluable instruction from current showrunners and other industry professionals – from both coasts – on a wide-variety of pertinent topics that are critical to succeeding in the role of a showrunner.
Son’s numerous television credits most recently include executive producing on the Amazon series “Butterfly” and the NatGeo series “Genius: Aretha,” in addition to serving as co-showrunner of Season 1 of “Thirteen Reasons Why.”
Son has been a writer/producer of series including “American Crime,” “Dirty John,” “Law & Order: True Crime,” “Southland,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Do No Harm” and started her television career as a staff writer for “The West Wing.”
In a statement, Diana Son said, “I’ve been a proud member of the WGAE since my first staffing job in 1999. I’ve benefitted from our union’s advocacy in countless ways so it’s been both a privilege and imperative for me to work on programs that help open doors and empower other guild members. I’m so moved and humbled to now be honored by my union which has given me so much.”
Established in 1992 and named in memory of longtime WGAE member Ian McLellan Hunter, the Hunter Award is presented to a WGA member in honor of his/her body of work as a writer in motion pictures or television. Hunter’s more than 20 screen credits include Eye Witness and A Woman of Distinction. Harassed by the blacklist in the 1950s, Hunter went on to write several successful television series under a pseudonym and then reemerged as a writer on many television projects, including The Blue and The Gray. Appropriately, the first recipient of the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement in Writing was Hunter’s longtime friend and writing partner, Ring Lardner, Jr., whose movie credits include Woman Of The Year, M*A*S*H and The Cincinnati Kid.
Past Recipients
- 2025: Scott Frank
- 2024: Tony Gilroy
- 2023: Spike Lee
- 2022: Not Awarded
- 2021: Not Awarded
- 2020: Richard Price
- 2019: Tom Fontana
- 2018: Geoffrey C. Ward
- 2017: John Waters
- 2016: Richard LaGravenese
- 2015: Paul Haggis
- 2014: David Simon
- 2013: David Koepp
- 2012: Claire Labine
- 2011: Frank Gilroy
- 2010: Alan Zweibel
- 2009: John Patrick Shanley
- 2008: Not Awarded
- 2007: Andrew Bergman
- 2006: Marshall Brickman
- 2005: John Sayles
- 2004: Jules Feiffer
- 2003: Nora Ephron
- 2002: Donald E. Westlake
- 2001: Evan Hunter
- 2000: Herb Gardner
- 1999: Horton Foote
- 1998: William Persky
- 1997: Jay Presson Allen
- 1996: Ernest Kinoy
- 1995: Robert Benton
- 1994: Walter Bernstein
- 1993: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- 1992: Ring Lardner, Jr
The Evelyn F. Burkey Award was established in 1978 to honor Burkey, who dedicated her professional life to supporting and helping writers. Burkey helped create the Writers Guild of America, East, in 1953 as the union of film, television and radio writers, independent of precursor organizations. She was the WGAE’s executive director until her retirement in 1972. The Burkey Award continues her mission by recognizing a person or an organization “whose contributions have brought honor and dignity to writers everywhere.”
Past Recipients
- 2022: Dick Cavett
- 2021: Not Awarded
- 2020: Not Awarded
- 2019: Franklin Leonard
- 2018: Not Awarded
- 2017: Not Awarded
- 2016: Senator Al Franken
- 2015: Norman Lear
- 2014: James Schamus
- 2013: Not Awarded
- 2012: Not Awarded
- 2011: The Television Academy Foundation’s Archive of American Television
- 2010: Edward Albee
- 2009: Committee to Protect Journalists
- 2008: Walter Bernstein
- 2007: Joan Didion
- 2006: Museum of Television and Radio
- 2005: Claire Labine
- 2004: Senator John McCain
- 2003: Martin Scorsese
- 2002: Colin Callender
- 2001: Tom Fontana
- 2000: Vaclav Havel
- 1999: David Brown
- 1998: Judy Crichton
- 1997: Sidney Lumet
- 1996: Ken Saro-Wiwa (posthumously)
- 1995: Dennis Potter(posthumously)
- 1994: Joan Ganz Cooney
- 1993: Arthur Miller
- 1992: Jacqueline Babbin
- 1991: George Schaefer
- 1990: Art Buchwald
- 1989: Horton Foote
- 1988: Andrew A. Rooney & Local 1101 & District 1 of the Communication Workers of America
- 1987: Edwin Newman
- 1986 Athol Fugard & Lloyd Richards
- 1985: Jerome B. Lurie
- 1984: Leonard Wasser
- 1983: Alan Wagner
- 1982: Herbert Brodkin
- 1981: Elmer W. Lower
- 1980: Walter Cronkite
- 1979: Barbara Schultz
- 1978: Fred Coe
Created in 2006 in honor of Sargent, who was president of the Writers Guild of America, East, for 14 years until his death on May 6, 2005, the Herb Sargent Award is awarded to a writer who embodies the spirit, commitment, and comic genius of Mr. Sargent as well as his dedication to mentoring new writers. A legendary writer and television producer, Sargent’s credits include being a writer/producer of Saturday Night Live for more than 20 years, the screenplay of Bye Bye Braverman, television specials for Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jr., Alan King, Paul McCartney, Lily Tomlin, and Burt Bacharach, as well as extensive work in radio in the 1940s.
Past Recipients
- 2025: Bill Lawrence
- 2023: Paul Simms
- 2022: Not Awarded
- 2021: Not Awarded
- 2020: Paula Pell
- 2019: Not Awarded
- 2018: Tina Fey and Robert Carlock
- 2017: Steve O’Donnell
- 2013: Not Awarded
- 2012: Judd Apatow
- 2011: Not Awarded
- 2010: Gary David Goldberg
- 2009: Norman Stiles
- 2008: Not Awarded
- 2007: Lorne D. Michaels
- 2006: James L. Brooks
Established in 1978 to recognize devoted service to the Guild, the Jablow Award was created in honor of Richard B. Jablow, who helped found the WGAE, authored its constitution, and served as its first counsel.
Past Recipients
- 2025: Kathy McGee
- 2024: I.A.T.S.E., Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA and AFM
- 2023: Penelope Koechl
- 2022: Not Awarded
- 2021: Not Awarded
- 2020: Lisa Takeuchi Cullen
- 2019: Randall Jansta
- 2018: Hamilton Nolan
- 2017: Courtney Simon
- 2016: Melissa Salmons
- 2015: Jeremy Pikser
- 2014: Philip V. Pilato
- 2013: Bob Schneider
- 2012: Susan Kim
- 2011: Marianne Pryor
- 2010: David Steven Cohen
- 2009: Chris Albers & Tom Fontana
- 2008: Catherine Twohill
- 2007: Gail Lee
- 2006: Warren Leight
- 2005: John Auerbach
- 2004: Ellen M. Violett
- 2003: James Schamus
- 2002: Stephen Schiff
- 2001: Richard Wesley
- 2000: Ruth Gallo
- 1999: James H. Kaye
- 1998: Michael Winship
- 1997: Bruce R. Campbell
- 1996: Edward Pomerantz
- 1995: Albert Ruben
- 1994: George Malko
- 1993: Willie Kathryn Suggs
- 1992: Jane Bolllinger
- 1991: Corinne Jacker
- 1990: Herb Sargent
- 1989: Edward Adler & Mona Mangan
- 1988: Marc Siegel
- 1987: Claire Wood Labine
- 1986: Art Wallace
- 1985: Craig B. Fisher
- 1984: Ernest Pendrell
- 1983: Elihu Winer
- 1982: Jerome Coopersmith
- 1981: Ernest Kinoy & Loring Mandel
- 1980: Manya Starr & David Davidson
- 1979: Not Awarded
- 1978: Richard B. Jablow in memoriam
Named in honor of one of the Writers Guild of America, East’s most distinguished and courageous members, the Walter Bernstein Award is presented to honor writers who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity.
Past Recipients
- 2024: Ron Nyswaner
- 2017: Jelani Cobb
Sponsors
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