Every awards season, we brace ourselves for unforgettable moments, emotional speeches, and historic wins. But over the course of the past several years, one awards show that has consistently pushed the envelope for making history is the Emmy Awards. Some of the most beloved shows and performers have graced the Emmys stage — and made history at the same time.
The Emmys first award was handed out back in 1949. And, more than 70 years later, the TV medium has completely transformed, thanks in large part to streaming services. But that’s not the only thing that has changed. Certain TV shows and performers have made incredible breakthroughs in certain categories, and it’s because of them that we’re so excited to watch the Emmys year in and year out.
In 2021, history was made with the class of nominees. Among them was Mj Rodriguez, whose soulful performance in the FX drama series Pose earned the artist rave reviews since the series premiere. At the time, Rodriguez became the first openly trans woman to earn a nomination in the category.
Others who made history during previous telecasts include Rodriguez’s co-star, Billy Porter, who made history in 2019 for his win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Pose as the first openly gay man to win the award.
In honor of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, in which so many more stars wrote their names in Emmy history, take a look at some historic Emmy Award wins since the show began below!
A version of this article was originally published in September 2021.
Liza Colón-Zayas Becomes a Latina Trailblazer
The Bear star Liza Colón-Zayas’ smile says it all! At the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, she became a part of Emmy history by becoming the first Latina actress to win in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category.
“Thank you for giving me a new life with this show,” she said in her touching speech. “And to all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing and vote. Vote for your rights.”
Anna Sawai Wins Big
Also making history that night was Anna Sawai, who won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for her role in Shōgun. Sawai became the first Asian and first Japanese actress to win the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category.
Hiroyuki Sanada Continues the Trend
Also for Shōgun, actor Hiroyuki Sanada became the first Japanese actor to ever win the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award. He also is the second Asian actor to ever win in the category. Prior to him, actor Lee Jung-jae won for his role in Squid Game in 2022.
‘Shōgun’ Sweeps the 2024 Emmy Awards
As you might’ve guessed from the last two slides, FX’s Shōgun took over the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. The show won for the most wins by any show in a single year with a whopping 18 awards including Best Drama Series, Best Actress for Sawai, Best Actor for Sanada and Best Drama Directing for Frederick E.O. Toye.
Ali Wong’s Big Win
At the 75th Primetime Emmys, Ali Wong made history as the first Asian-American actress to win Outstanding Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and the first woman of Asian descent to win an Emmy for a lead role for her role in Beef.
Quinta Brunson Making History Yet Again
Also at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Abbott Elementary star and creator Quinta Brunson won the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The award made history as it marked the first time a Black woman won in the category in over 40 years, the last time being when Isabel Sanford won in 1981 for The Jeffersons, per The New York Times.
Double Trouble
In addition to Brunson’s major milestone, the 2024 Emmys also marked the first time in history in which two Black women won Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress for a Comedy Series in the same year. The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri, who also guest-starred in Abbott, won for Supporting.
Keke Palmer Lands Another First
At the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2024, Keke Palmer took home the Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for NBC’s Password.
Palmer is the first woman to do so since the category has been part of the Primetime Emmys after moving from the Daytime awards 15 years ago.
Lee Jung-jae’s Historic Acting Win
With his win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the 2022 Emmy Awards for Squid Game, Lee Jung-jae became the first South Korean actor to win the prestigious honor.
Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Directing Win
Hwang Dong-hyuk made history in the category of Directing for a Drama Series for Squid Game by becoming the first person from South Korea to win the coveted statuette.
Zendaya’s Second Win
Zendaya made history twice over with her win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Euphoria. She became the first Black actress to win the honor for a second time!
Quinta Brunson Writes History
Quinta Brunson made history at the 2022 Emmys becoming the first Black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Hits A Milestone
Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Emmy award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary, becoming the first Black woman in 35 years to do so. The last Black woman to win the award was Jackée Harry for 227 in 1987, per The Wrap.
“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like,” Ralph said during her acceptance speech, per Variety.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Commander in Chief of Emmy Wins
With her hilarious performance in the HBO series Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus became the most awarded performer for playing the same role in the same series. Louis-Dreyfus won a whopping six Emmy Awards for her performance. With those six, the actress has a grand total of 11 Emmy Awards for both acting and producing.
Viola Davis’ Winning Moment
Viola Davis made history at the 2015 Emmy Awards when she became the first Woman of Color to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for How To Get Away With Murder. Prior to her historic win, Debbie Allen, Alfre Woodard, Cicely Tyson, Regina Taylor, and Kerry Washington had all been nominated in the category, perVanity Fair. Making the night even more special, Davis was nominated alongside Taraji P. Henson for Empire, marking the first time the category included multiple Women of Color.
Zendaya is the Belle of the Ball
The 2020 Emmy Awards were full of surprises. They were held in the middle of a pandemic, where Emmy Awards were delivered to winners, and everyone was basically in a giant Zoom meeting. Still, history was made that night when Zendaya became the youngest person to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at just 24 years old for her performance in Euphoria.
‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Editors Make History
Daysha Broadway, Stephanie Filo and Jessica Hernandez won the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming for A Black Lady Sketch Show at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2021. The win for the sketch comedy series marked the first where a team of Women of Color walked away with the top prize!
The Category Is: Billy Porter’s Unmatched Excellence
In 2019, Billy Porter became the first openly gay man to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Pose. On top of the historic win, Porter’s speech was just as moving, citing James Baldwin and announcing that the category is: love.
RuPaul Charles Sashays Away into the History Books
History follows RuPaul Charles wherever he goes. The RuPaul’s Drag Race host currently holds the record for most wins for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, with six Emmy Awards to his name. RuPaul also has 10 Emmy Awards total, tying him with Donald A. Morgan for the most Emmy Award wins for a Person of Color — 10 Emmys in total!
Ron & Jasmine Cephas-Jones Are a Golden Father-Daughter Pair
In 2020, Ron Cephas-Jones and his daughter, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, became the first father-daughter pair to win Emmys! Ron Cephas-Jones won his second Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in This Is Us, while Jasmine Cephas-Jones won her first Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for #FreeRayshawn.
‘Schitt’s Creek’ Goes Out with a Bang
Following its final season, Schitt’s Creek basically swept the Emmys. The 2020 telecast featured all four cast members winning their respective Emmy Awards, along with awards for writing, casting, and Outstanding Comedy Series.
‘Game of Thrones’ Reigns Supreme Among Drama Series
By the time it wrapped it’s historic run, HBO’s Game of Thrones truly towered above the competition. The series is the most awarded in the Drama categories, with 59 Emmy Awards total. It also has the most wins for a series in a single year (12), and the most wins for a series in its final season (12).
Michaela Coel Makes Her Mark
During the 2021 Emmy Awards, Michaela Coel made history, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for I May Destroy You. Coel is the first Black woman to win the category.
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