Latin Thespians Get Their Due With 2012 SAG Nominations

By Michael Lopez

We really saw some brilliant performances by Latino actors this year on both the big and small screen. And not just in the drama department. Stars like Sofia Vergara and Oscar Nuñez showcased some great comic timing and are rightly getting their due, with nominations at the 2012 Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) Awards.

You can expect to see quite a lot of Latin talent at the ceremony next year. One of our personal faves, Demian Bichir, was nominated for his work in A Better Life. So far Demian has been wowing the critics with his performance as humble gardener Carlos Galindo (even scoring an Independent Spirit nom). Could an Oscar nod not be far behind? Let's hope so.

Another interesting SAG nominee is Bérénice Bejo. The Argentine/French actress has been getting rave reviews for her performance in The Artist and could be well on her way to an Academy Award nod too. American audiences will probably recognize her from her work in the Heath Ledger film A Knight’s Tale. We're sure you'll be seeing a lot more of her in the months ahead.

Of course, you know we'll be rooting for Sofia Vergara again. She earned yet another nomination for her portrayal as the zesty Gloria on Modern Family. Though she definitely generates laughs on the show, it's important to note that Vergara delivers one heck of a performance. Comedy is no easy task to pull off and thankfully, with her Emmy and Golden Globe noms, the voters have taken notice of her talents.

Other Latinos to root for at the SAGs include Oscar Nuñez, Paz de la Huerta, and Naya Rivera. Their respective shows (The Office, Boardwalk Empire, and Glee) were all nominated in the Best Cast Ensemble category, which means they could be taking home awards too.

Interestingly, Sofia is nominated as a solo performer and as an ensemble player, which means she could nab two statues during the night! Of course, she's already got one sitting safely on her home shelf.

Let's wish them all luck when the SAGs go down on January 29.

Who's your favorite Latino actor? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags 2012 SAG Awards, A better life, Award Shows, Bérénice Bejo, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Modern Family, Naya Rivera, Oscar Nunez, SAG Awards, sofia vergara, Television, The Artist