Congratulations to These First-Time Emmy Winners!
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There were a lot of first-time Emmy nominees this year, and a few of them also became first-time Emmy winners after this year's ceremony. While it's amazing to be getting your first award for your first nod, there are also a few people for whom it must be even sweeter, since they've been nominated so many times (looking at you, Jon Hamm). Here are all the newly minted winners this year!
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Viola Davis
By now, you know that Viola Davis's win made history when she became the first black actress to win outstanding lead actress in a drama series. Did you also know that this was not only Davis's first win, but also her first-ever nomination? She's got a lot to celebrate, for sure.
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Jon Hamm
This was Jon Hamm's eighth time being nominated for Mad Men, and it was also his last year of eligibility for the critically lauded drama. He accepted the award like a man who's waited eight years for something, yet still gave the most heartfelt acceptance speech.
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Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer may have lost the big prize she was nominated for this year (outstanding lead actress in a comedy), but she still got a statue for variety sketch series for her baby, Inside Amy Schumer. It was hardly a consolation prize to the actress, who could not have sounded more jazzed or grateful in her acceptance speech.
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Jeffrey Tambor
Jeffrey Tambor's groundbreaking win for Transparent comes after the seven times he was previously nominated for an Emmy — prior to this, he was up multiple times for Arrested Development and The Larry Sanders Show each.
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Regina King
Another first-time winner/first-time nominee was Regina King, whose win was another triumph. This has to be special for King, since she's been working since 1985!
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Richard Jenkins
Another reason Richard Jenkins's interaction with Lady Gaga was so great is because it was such a huge moment for him: the winner for lead actor in a miniseries was winning for the first time, for his first-ever nomination.
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Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand may have looked nonplussed to be at the Emmys — or to win, even — but she had reason to crack that small smile — it was her first victory!
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Game of Thrones
Technically, Game of Thrones has won dozens of times before (and in fact, is the new record holder for a show with the most Emmy wins on a single night), but we couldn't highlight first-time winners and not talk about Game of Thrones's first win for outstanding drama series. This is the big kahuna award of the night, and the show, which is so beloved by many, has been overlooked each year it's been up. So let's take a moment to celebrate the good news!