The civil rights-era drama "The Help" took home the best ensemble cast in a motion picture, one of the top honors presented at the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday.

"The Help," a DreamWorks/Touchstone adaptation of the Kathryn Stockett novel exploring racism in south of the United States in the 1960s, garnered the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, or the guild's equivalent to the Academy Award's top prize.

In addition, a pair of separate honors were won by Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis, two of the drama's main actresses.

"The Artist," the Weinstein Co.'s black-and-white silent film homage that was widely regarded as the top contender in the leadup to the 84th Academy Awards, claimed only one award, the best actor for Jean Dujardin.

"Thank you, it's too much," a visibly moving Dujardin said backstage after beating out Hollywood favorite George Clooney of "The Descendants" to claim the honor.

"The Artist," meanwhile, remains a top contender for an Academy Award as best picture as it has already earned a number of important pre-Academy Award honors including the Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, Producers Guild and Directors Guild awards.

Spencer won the SAG Award for best actress after beating out Meryl Streep and other contenders while Davis took best supporting actress for their roles as maids working for white families in 1960s Mississippi.

Christopher Plummer from "Beginners" took the best actor in a supporting role.

"I just can't tell you what fun I've had being a member of the world's second-oldest profession," Plummer said during his acceptance speech. He portrayed an aging father who announces he is gay and battling cancer.

On the small screen front, "Boardwalk Empire" won for ensemble cast in a television drama, its second straight prize. Steve Buscemi, who plays politician/gangster Nucky Thompson, garnered the award for best actor in a drama for the second straight year.

"This is really an honor to be amongst everyone in this room tonight," Buscemi said when accepting the honor.

The award for best actress in a drama series went to Jessica Lange, who starred on FX's dark "American Horror Story."

In the top comedy series category, Alec Baldwin won his sixth consecutive SAG Award for best actor in a comedy series for his work on "30 Rock." Betty White walked away with her second straight award for best actress for the TV Land original sitcom "Hot in Cleveland."

For the second straight year, "Modern Family" nabbed the SAG Award for best ensemble cast in a comedy series.

In the television movie or miniseries category, Paul Giamatti won the best actor for "Too Big to Fail" while Kate Winslet won best actress for "Mildred Pierce."

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet