The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards was a memorable night with historic wins, heartwarming reunions and unforgettable moments. Hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy and held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the ceremony celebrated television’s greatest achievements as well as new accomplishments and nostalgic memories. Take a detailed look at the main highlights of the evening:
Historic win at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
Anna Sawai made history by winning the Emmy Award for Best Drama Actress for her performance in Shogun. Sawai became the first actress of Asian descent to win the award. During her emotional acceptance speech, she said, “I was crying before my name was announced. I’m very upset today.”
Liza Colón-Zayas won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in The Bear. She is the first Latina actress to win in this category. Colón-Zayas, who was presented with the award by Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to my husband, David Zayas, he told me to write a speech, and I didn’t do it because I didn’t think it would be possible.”
Hiroyuki Sanada won the award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Shogun, making him the first Japanese and second Asian actor to win in this category. Sanada expressed his respect and gratitude in his speech, saying, “I am so honored to be here with the amazing nominees.”
Memorable reunion at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
The cast of The West Wing reunited on stage to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary. Martin Sheen, Dulé Hill, Janel Maloney, Richard Schiff and Allison Janney took the stage in front of a replica of the Oval Office set, bringing back memories for fans of the acclaimed political drama.
The cast of Happy Days also made a memorable return, delighting fans with a reunion that restored the charm of the beloved show. The on-stage reunion was a highlight for many, providing a nostalgic look back at the show’s iconic characters and scenes.
Notable cast members at the Saturday Night Live reunion included Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Bowen Yang and Seth Meyers. Their humorous tribute to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, which poked fun at his Emmy history, was a crowd favorite.
The cast of Schitt’s Creek was also on stage, with Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy reunited on stage. O’Hara took a humorous pause to present the award for Outstanding Comedy Series to Hanks, showcasing her comedic timing and the enduring charm of the Schitt’s Creek cast.
Impressive speech at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
John Leguizamo gave a powerful speech about diversity in Hollywood and talked about DEI (diligence, excellence and imagination) in the industry. He said he is one of Hollywood’s DEI employees. “That’s right, DEI. The ‘D’ stands for diligence, the ‘E’ stands for excellence, the ‘I’ stands for imagination. And everyone in this room tonight has dedicated their lives to diligence, excellence and imagination, so we are all DEI employees,” he said.
Candice Bergen made a memorable return to the Emmys with a scathing political joke aimed at J.D. Vance. She compared her Murphy Brown storyline, which involved criticism of single motherhood, to current political scenarios, saying, “Oh, how far we’ve come … Today, a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having children.”
Special Moments from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
Show producer Will Smith entered in a light-hearted manner and eased the tension associated with his name by saying, “First of all, relax. Despite my name, I come in peace.” This amusing reference to past awards show controversies helped set a positive atmosphere for the night.
The ceremony included emotional moments, such as an inspiring speech from the creator of Baby Reindeer, in which he shared his personal struggles and gave an inspiring message to other survivors. Additionally, the appearance of Olympian Ilona Maher added a touch of sporting excitement, creating a sense of connection to her summer accomplishments.
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