Ben Affleck And Day-Lewis Honoured at the Screen Actors Guild Awards

Ben Affleck's drama Argo has won the best film drama prize at the Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles, in yet another boost for its prospects at next month's Oscars.

Steven Spielberg's top-tipped presidential drama Lincoln also scored successes with best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, and supporting actor Tommy Lee Jones.

British-Irish actor Day-Lewis, who also won the best actor Golden Globe for his role as America's 16th president, joked about having hesitated before accepting the role of such a political icon.

"It occurred to me it was an actor that murdered Abraham Lincoln ... and therefore it's only fitting that every now and then an actor tries to bring him back to life again," he said, to laughter from his fellow acting professionals.

Asked backstage about his hopes for winning an Oscar this year - in what would be a record third best actor Academy Award for one person - he joked: "Members of the Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) love surprises."

Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence took best actress for her role in romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook, while Anne Hathaway took best supporting actress for her singing performance in musical Les Miserables.

On the small screen, Downton Abbey and Modern Family were the big winners in the drama and comedy categories, respectively, while TV-themed hit comedy series 30 Rock won two top awards.

Best TV drama actor went to Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad, while Claire Danes won best drama actress for Homeland.

Best TV comedy series actor and actress prizes went to the stars of 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, whose show is about to finish after seven successful seasons.

For Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in Argo, it was the second top prize in as many days after his film won the Producers Guild of America award, a key bellwether for Oscars glory, on Saturday night.

Argo also caused a surprise by winning best picture and best director for Affleck at this month's Golden Globes, and is nominated in seven categories for the Oscars, scheduled to be held on February 24.

However, Affleck has missed out on a nomination in the best director category for the Academy Awards.

The film tells the true story of a daring CIA mission to rescue six US diplomats who took refuge at the Canadian embassy in Tehran during the 1979 hostage crisis, bringing them out disguised as crew members for a Hollywood sci-fi film.

The SAG awards also honoured star Dick Van Dyke with a lifetime achievement award.

The 87-year-old actor said on the red carpet: "They tell me you never work again once you get this award. I'll have to let them know I'm available."

Lead-acting honours went to Jennifer Lawrence for her role as a troubled widow in the lost-souls romance Silver Linings Playbook.

For Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in Argo, it was the second top prize in as many days after his film won the Producers Guild of America award, a key bellwether for Oscars glory.

Daniel Day-Lewis (left) won best actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War epic Lincoln.

Anne Hathaway took best supporting actress for her singing performance in musical Les Miserables.

Musical star Dick Van Dyke, 87, collected a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony.