Variety hosted an exclusive party at the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel to toast the 23rd season of its 'Actors on Actors' franchise ahead of the 2026 Golden Globe awards. Stars including Sydney Sweeney, Kate Hudson and Dwayne Johnson attended the invite-only event sponsored by Aman Beverly Hills and Morgan Stanley. The gathering highlighted intimate conversations from the series that have become a awards-season staple.
On Friday night, ahead of the Golden Globe awards on January 11, Variety marked the 23rd season of its acclaimed 'Actors on Actors' series with an inaugural bash at the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel. The event, hosted by Variety co-president and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh and Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne, drew a roster of Hollywood's biggest names, including Sydney Sweeney, Kate Hudson, Teyana Taylor, Dwayne Johnson, Adam Sandler, Jesse Plemons, Ethan Hawke, Tonatiuh, Connor Storrie, Odessa A’zion and Kumail Nanjiani.
The franchise, now in partnership with CNN, features uncensored pairings of actors discussing their craft. Season 23 highlights included Leonardo DiCaprio quizzed by Jennifer Lawrence on his process, Julia Roberts reflecting on her friendship with Sean Penn and her role in Luca Guadagnino’s 'After the Hunt'—her most indelible turn since 'Erin Brockovich'—and Kate Hudson sharing insights with Jeremy Allen White on her dramatic performance in 'Song Sung Blue'.
Helen Hoehne praised the series' intimacy: “There’s tremendous value in ‘Actors on Actors’ because of how intimate it is. You find out who they are, what they love, how they work. So many of the pairings are unexpected, but it’s always rewarding.” As guests enjoyed tuna tartare cones and mini grilled cheese, notable moments included Sweeney in a shimmering black dress, Sandler celebrating his role in 'Jay Kelly', and Eva Victor meeting Connor Storrie. Industry figures like Sue Kroll of Amazon MGM and Todd Boehly of Eldridge Industries also mingled.
Setoodeh emphasized the event's significance: “With ‘Actors on Actors’ we try to curate the best portfolio of awards season, and the franchise has become a phenomenon online. This year was our biggest ever, in partnership with CNN, and that’s something to celebrate in addition to this incredible work on screen.” Guests departed with gift bags tied to the upcoming Aman Beverly Hills opening, underscoring the blend of celebration and networking in the lead-up to the Globes.
