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Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy Awards history by becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in a single night.

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Inewgen
15 Sep 2026Source: BBC World2 min read (0 views)
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Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

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  • Matthew Rhys makes history as the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night.
  • Rhys won for his roles in the supernatural comedy Widow's Bay and thriller The Beast In Me.
  • Jean Smart and Allison Janney both claimed their eighth career Emmy wins.
  • Michael J. Fox received a standing ovation for the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmy Awards by becoming the first individual to secure two lead acting prizes during a single ceremony, marking a milestone in the prestigious event's timeline.

Rhys earned recognition at the US awards ceremony for his versatile performances in the supernatural TV comedy Widow's Bay and the psychological thriller The Beast In Me, taking home the trophy for best lead actor in a limited series before clinching the best lead actor in a comedy title.

award winner holding trophy ceremony stage

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

A select group of performers including Alan Alda, Sally Field, John Goodman, Elisabeth Moss, and Ted Danson had previously earned nominations for two lead acting categories in the same year, but Rhys stands alone as the first to achieve a double victory. During his speech, he dedicated his second win to the people of Wales.

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8thEmmy win for Jean Smart and Allison Janney

"I worried that it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences when they laughed if they knew I was sick."

Michael J. Fox

Elsewhere at the ceremony, Jean Smart won best comedy actress for Hacks, marking her eighth career Emmy win, while Allison Janney secured best supporting actress in a drama series for The Diplomat, also her eighth. Both actresses now equal the record for the most acting wins ever shared with Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

The historic double win by Matthew Rhys alongside the record-tying achievements of veteran actresses highlights the shifting landscape of television awards, where versatility across different genres and enduring career excellence continue to be heavily rewarded by industry peers and voters alike.

The evening also featured a moving moment as Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in a wheelchair for his extensive Parkinson's disease advocacy, reflecting on how he initially kept his diagnosis secret following his diagnosis at age 29.

Source: BBC World

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