-- The Coen brothers' crime thriller "No Country For Old Men" and the television drama "The Sopranos" were the big winners at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles, in what may end up being the biggest mainstream movie awards event this year.

Fresh off of their Directors Guild of America win Saturday, Joel and Ethan Coen's "Old Men" snagged Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem and the Best Motion Picture Ensemble trophy -- the guild's equivalent of a Best Picture Award.

Josh Brolin accepted the award on behalf of the"Old Men" cast, saying the win by the independent film production reflected a "cornucopia of change" in the business over the past year.

"It's about story now," Brolin said. "The studio system is backfiring awfully. And it's fun for us actors."

Since SAG has stood in solidarity with the striking Writers Guild of America, the union granted a waiver to allow its writers to work on the awards show. Sunday night's massive turnout by Hollywood's biggest stars may very prove to be the swan song for awards shows, since the WGA has said it will not grant a similar waiver to the Academy Awards, slated for late February.

Julie Christie won the Best Actress award in the film category for playing a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease in "Away From Her," and Ruby Dee won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role in "American Gangster."

"It's lovely to receive an award from your own union, especially at a time when we're being so forcefully reminded how important unions are," Christie said.

Daniel Day-Lewis scored the Best Actor statuette for the oil boom drama "There Will Be Blood."

Day-Lewis took the opportunity to remember fellow actor Heath Ledger, who died last week in New York at age 28.

Lewis, who played a ruthless prospector in "Blood," was soft-spoken and humble as he dedicated his award to Ledger.

"In 'Brokeback Mountain,' he was unique, he was perfect," said a soft-spoken and humbled Day-Lewis, who plays a ruthless oil boom baron in "There Will Be Blood." "That scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything I think I've ever seen."

Topping off its final season on the air, "The Sopranos" took SAG Awards for Best Television Ensemble in the drama category, and Best Actor and Best Actress awards, respectively for stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco.

"The Office" took the SAG award for Best Television Ensemble in the comedy category, while "30 Rock" stars Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey won Best Actor and Best Actress honors.

Veteran film and television actor Charles Durning was also awarded the guild's Life Achievement award. In addition to honoring his screen contributions, SAG recognized Durning for his service in the military during World War II. Durning was first wave to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, and the only survivor in his unit.