Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Prior to 1988 the category was not gender specific, thus was called Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. These awards, like the other "Guest" awards, are not presented at the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony, but rather at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony.

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
The 2024 recipient: Jon Bernthal
Awarded forOutstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
CountryUnited States
Presented byAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences
First awarded1986
Currently held byJon Bernthal,
The Bear (2024)
Websiteemmys.com

Winners and nominations

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  indicates the winner

1970s

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Year Actor Program Role Submitted episode(s) Network
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series
1975
(27th)
[1]
Patrick McGoohan Columbo Col. Lyle C. Rumford "By Dawn's Early Light" NBC
Lew Ayres Kung Fu Beaumont "The Vanishing Image" ABC
Harold Gould Police Story Andrea Basic "Fathers and Sons" NBC
Harry Morgan M*A*S*H Maj. Gen. Bartford Hamilton Steele "The General Flipped at Dawn" CBS
1976
(28th)
Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series[2]
Ed Asner Rich Man, Poor Man Axel Jordache "Parts I" ABC
Bill Bixby The Streets of San Francisco Eric Doyle "The Police Buff" ABC
Tony Musante Medical Story Dr. Paul Brandon "The Quality of Mercy" NBC
Robert Reed Medical Center Dr. Pat Caddison "John Quincy Adams, Diplomat" CBS
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series[3]
Gordon Jackson Upstairs, Downstairs Hudson "The Beastly Hun" PBS
Bill Bixby Rich Man, Poor Man Willie Abbott "Part VI" ABC
Roscoe Lee Browne Barney Miller Charlie Jeffers "The Escape Artist"
Norman Fell Rich Man, Poor Man Smitty "Part V"
Van Johnson Marsh Goodwin "Parts VII"
1977
(29th)
Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series[4]
Louis Gossett Jr. Roots Fiddler "Part IV" ABC
John Amos Roots Toby "Part V" ABC
LeVar Burton Kunta Kinte "Part I"
Ben Vereen "Chicken" George Moore "Part VI"
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series[5]
Ed Asner Roots Capt. Davies "Part 1" ABC
Charles Durning Captains and the Kings Billy Rice "Chapter 2" NBC
Moses Gunn Roots Kintango "Part I" ABC
Robert Reed Dr. William Reynolds "Part V"
Ralph Waite Third mate Slater "Part I"
1978
(30th)
Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series[6]
Barnard Hughes Lou Grant Judge Felix Rushman "Judge" CBS
David Cassidy Police Story Officer Dan Shay "A Chance to Live" NBC
Will Geer The Love Boat Franklyn Bootherstone "The Old Man and the Runaway" ABC
Judd Hirsch Rhoda Mike Andretti "Rhoda Likes Mike" CBS
John Rubinstein Family Jeff Maitland "And Baby Makes Three" ABC
Keenan Wynn Police Woman Ben Fletcher "Good Old Uncle Ben" NBC
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series[7]
Ricardo Montalbán How the West Was Won Satangkai "Part I" ABC
Will Geer Eight is Enough Santa Claus "Yes, Nicholas... There is a Santa Claus" ABC
Larry Gelman Barney Miller Edward Sellers "Goodbye, Mr. Fish"
Harold Gould Rhoda Martin Morgenstern "Happy Anniversary" CBS
Abe Vigoda Barney Miller Det. Phil Fish "Goodbye, Mr. Fish" ABC

1980s

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Year Actor/Actress Program Role Network
Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series
1986
(38th)
Roscoe Lee Browne The Cosby Show Dr. Barnabus Foster NBC
Earle Hyman The Cosby Show Russell Huxtable NBC
Danny Kaye Dr. Burns
Clarice Taylor Anna Huxtable
Stevie Wonder Himself
1987
(39th)
John Cleese Cheers Dr. Simon Finch-Royce NBC
Art Carney The Cavanaughs James "Weasel" Cavanaugh CBS
Herb Edelman The Golden Girls Stan Zbornak NBC
Lois Nettleton Jean
Nancy Walker Angela
1988
(40th)
Beah Richards Frank's Place Mrs. Varden CBS
Herb Edelman The Golden Girls Stan Zbornak NBC
Geraldine Fitzgerald Anna
Eileen Heckart The Cosby Show Mrs. Hickson
Gilda Radner It's Garry Shandling's Show Herself Showtime
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
1989
(41st)
Cleavon Little Dear John Tony Larkin NBC
Sammy Davis Jr. The Cosby Show Ray Palomino NBC
Jack Gilford The Golden Girls Max Weinstock
Leslie Nielsen Day by Day Jack Harper
Robert Picardo The Wonder Years Mr. Cutlip ABC

1990s

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Year Actor Program Role Network
1990
(42nd)
Jay Thomas Murphy Brown Jerry Gold CBS
David Huddleston The Wonder Years Grandpa Arnold ABC
Darren McGavin Murphy Brown Bill Brown CBS
Jerry Orbach The Golden Girls Glenn O'Brien NBC
Dick Van Dyke Ken Whittingham
1991
(43rd)
Jay Thomas Murphy Brown Jerry Gold CBS
Sheldon Leonard Cheers Sid Nelson NBC
Alan Oppenheimer Murphy Brown Eugene Kinsella CBS
Tom Poston Coach Art Hibke ABC
Danny Thomas Empty Nest Dr. Leo Brewster NBC
1992
(44th)
Harvey Fierstein[a] Cheers Mark Newberger
Kelsey Grammer[b] Wings Dr. Frasier Crane
Jay Thomas[c] Murphy Brown Jerry Gold CBS
1993
(45th)
David Clennon Dream On Peter Brewer HBO
Tom Berenger Cheers Don Santry NBC
Dana Carvey The Larry Sanders Show Himself HBO
Bill Erwin Seinfeld Sid Fields NBC
Joel Grey Brooklyn Bridge Jacob Pressman CBS
1994
(46th)
Martin Sheen Murphy Brown Nick Brody CBS
Jason Alexander Dream On Randall Townsend HBO
Paul Dooley Mickey Tupper
John Glover Frasier Ned Miller NBC
Judge Reinhold Seinfeld Aaron
1995
(47th)
Carl Reiner Mad About You Alan Brady NBC
Sid Caesar Love & War Stein CBS
Nathan Lane Frasier Phil NBC
Robert Pastorelli Murphy Brown Eldin Bernecky CBS
Paul Reubens Andrew J. Lansing III
1996
(48th)
Tim Conway Coach Kenny Montague ABC
Griffin Dunne Frasier Bob NBC
Mandy Patinkin The Larry Sanders Show Himself HBO
Larry Thomas Seinfeld The Soup Nazi NBC
Harris Yulin Frasier Jerome Belasco NBC
1997
(49th)
Mel Brooks Mad About You Uncle Phil NBC
Sid Caesar Mad About You Uncle Harold NBC
David Duchovny The Larry Sanders Show Himself HBO
James Earl Jones Frasier Norman NBC
Jerry Stiller Seinfeld Frank Costanza
1998
(50th)
Mel Brooks Mad About You Uncle Phil NBC
Hank Azaria Mad About You Nat NBC
Lloyd Bridges Seinfeld Izzy Mandelbaum
John Cleese 3rd Rock from the Sun Dr. Liam Neesam
Nathan Lane Mad About You Nathan Twilley
1999
(51st)
Mel Brooks Mad About You Uncle Phil NBC
Woody Harrelson Frasier Woody Boyd NBC
Charles Nelson Reilly The Drew Carey Show Mr. Hathaway ABC
John Ritter Ally McBeal George Madison Fox
William Shatner 3rd Rock from the Sun: Dick's Big Giant Headache Big Giant Head NBC
  1. ^ Harvey Fierstein was nominated in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on Cheers, but lost to Michael Jeter, who won for his role on Evening Shade.
  2. ^ Kelsey Grammer was nominated in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on Wings, but lost to Craig T. Nelson, who won for his role on Coach.
  3. ^ Jay Thomas was nominated in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on Murphy Brown, but lost to Michael Jeter, who won for his role on Evening Shade.

2000s

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Year Actor Program Role Network
2000
(52nd)
Bruce Willis Friends Paul Stevens NBC
Anthony LaPaglia Frasier Simon Moon NBC
William H. Macy[note 1][8] Sports Night Sam Donovan ABC
Carl Reiner Beggars and Choosers Sid Barry Showtime
Tom Selleck Friends Dr. Richard Burke NBC
2001
(53rd)
Derek Jacobi Frasier Jackson Hedley NBC
Robert Loggia Malcolm in the Middle Grandpa Victor Fox
Victor Garber Frasier Ferguson NBC
Gary Oldman Friends Richard Crosby
Michael York The Lot Colin Rhome AMC
2002
(54th)
Anthony LaPaglia Frasier Simon Moon NBC
Adam Arkin Frasier Tom NBC
Brian Cox Harry Moon
Michael Douglas Will & Grace Det. Gavin Hatch
Brad Pitt Friends Will Colbert
2003
(55th)
Gene Wilder Will & Grace Mr. Stein NBC
Hank Azaria Friends David NBC
David Duchovny Life with Bonnie Johnny Volcano ABC
Fred Willard Everybody Loves Raymond Hank MacDougall CBS
Jonathan Winters Life with Bonnie Q.T. Marlens ABC
2004
(56th)
John Turturro Monk Ambrose Monk USA
John Cleese Will & Grace Lyle Finster NBC
Danny DeVito Friends Roy Goodbody
Anthony LaPaglia Frasier Simon Moon
Fred Willard Everybody Loves Raymond Hank MacDougall CBS
2005
(57th)
Bobby Cannavale Will & Grace Vince D'Angelo NBC
Alec Baldwin Will & Grace Malcolm NBC
Victor Garber Peter Bovington
Jeff Goldblum Scott Woolley
Fred Willard Everybody Loves Raymond Hank MacDougall CBS
2006
(58th)
Leslie Jordan Will & Grace Beverley Leslie NBC
Alec Baldwin Will & Grace Malcolm NBC
Martin Sheen Two and a Half Men Harvey CBS
Patrick Stewart Extras Himself HBO
Ben Stiller
2007
(59th)
Stanley Tucci Monk David Ruskin USA
Beau Bridges My Name Is Earl Carl Hickey NBC
Martin Landau Entourage Bob Ryan HBO
Ian McKellen Extras Himself
Giovanni Ribisi My Name Is Earl Ralph Mariano NBC
2008
(60th)
Tim Conway 30 Rock Bucky Bright NBC
Will Arnett 30 Rock Devon Banks NBC
Shelley Berman Curb Your Enthusiasm Nat David HBO
Steve Buscemi 30 Rock Lenny Wosniak NBC
Rip Torn Don Geiss
2009
(61st)
Justin Timberlake Saturday Night Live Various characters NBC
Alan Alda 30 Rock Milton Greene NBC
Beau Bridges Desperate Housewives Eli Scruggs ABC
Jon Hamm 30 Rock Dr. Drew Baird NBC
Steve Martin Gavin Volure

2010s

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Year Actor Program Role Episode Network
2010
(62nd)
[9]
Neil Patrick Harris Glee Bryan Ryan "Dream On" Fox
Will Arnett 30 Rock Devon Banks "Into the Crevasse" NBC
Jon Hamm Dr. Drew Baird "Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land"
Mike O'Malley Glee Burt Hummel "Wheels" Fox
Eli Wallach Nurse Jackie Bernard Zimberg "Chicken Soup" Showtime
Fred Willard Modern Family Frank Dunphy "Travels with Scout" ABC
2011
(63rd)
[10]
Justin Timberlake Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Justin Timberlake" NBC
Will Arnett 30 Rock Devon Banks "Plan B" NBC
Matt Damon Carol Burnett "Double-Edged Sword"
Idris Elba The Big C Lenny Charles "Blue-Eyed Iris" Showtime
Zach Galifianakis Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Zach Galifianakis" NBC
Nathan Lane Modern Family Pepper Saltzman "Boys' Night" ABC
2012
(64th)
[11]
Jimmy Fallon Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Jimmy Fallon" NBC
Will Arnett 30 Rock Devon Banks "Idiots Are People Three!" NBC
Bobby Cannavale Nurse Jackie Dr. Mike Cruz "Disneyland Sucks" Showtime
Michael J. Fox Curb Your Enthusiasm Michael J. Fox "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" HBO
Jon Hamm 30 Rock Abner / David Brinkley "Live from Studio 6H" NBC
Greg Kinnear Modern Family Tad Murray "Me? Jealous?" ABC
2013
(65th)
[12]
Bob Newhart The Big Bang Theory Arthur Jeffries "The Proton Resurgence" CBS
Louis C.K. Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Louis C.K." NBC
Bobby Cannavale Nurse Jackie Dr. Mike Cruz "Walk of Shame" Showtime
Will Forte 30 Rock Paul L'astnamé "My Whole Life Is Thunder" NBC
Nathan Lane Modern Family Pepper Saltzman "A Slight at the Opera" ABC
Justin Timberlake Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Justin Timberlake" NBC
2014
(66th)
[13]
Jimmy Fallon Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Jimmy Fallon" NBC
Steve Buscemi Portlandia Marty "Celery" IFC
Louis C.K. Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Louis C.K." NBC
Gary Cole Veep Kent Davison "Crate" HBO
Nathan Lane Modern Family Pepper Saltzman "The Wedding" (Part 2) ABC
Bob Newhart The Big Bang Theory Arthur Jeffries "The Proton Transmogrification" CBS
2015
(67th)
[14]
Bradley Whitford Transparent Marcy May "Best New Girl" Amazon
Mel Brooks The Comedians Mel Brooks "Celebrity Guest" FX
Louis C.K. Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Louis C.K." NBC
Paul Giamatti Inside Amy Schumer Juror #10 "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer" Comedy Central
Bill Hader Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Bill Hader" NBC
Jon Hamm Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Richard Wayne Gary Wayne "Kimmy Makes Waffles!" Netflix
2016
(68th)
[15]
Peter Scolari[note 2][16] Girls Tad Horvath "Good Man" HBO
Larry David Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Larry David" NBC
Tracy Morgan "Host: Tracy Morgan"
Martin Mull Veep Bob Bradley "The Eagle" HBO
Bob Newhart The Big Bang Theory Arthur Jeffries "The Opening Night Excitation" CBS
Bradley Whitford Transparent Magnus Hirschfeld "Oscillate" Amazon
2017
(69th)
[17]
Dave Chappelle Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Dave Chappelle" NBC
Riz Ahmed Girls Paul-Louis "All I Ever Wanted" HBO
Tom Hanks Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tom Hanks" NBC
Hugh Laurie Veep Tom James "Blurb" HBO
Lin-Manuel Miranda Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Lin-Manuel Miranda" NBC
Matthew Rhys Girls Chuck Palmer "American Bitch" HBO
2018
(70th)
Katt Williams Atlanta Uncle Willie "Alligator Man" FX
Sterling K. Brown Brooklyn Nine-Nine Philip Davidson "The Box" Fox
Bryan Cranston Curb Your Enthusiasm Dr. Lionel Templeton "Running with the Bulls" HBO
Donald Glover Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Donald Glover" NBC
Bill Hader "Host: Bill Hader"
Lin-Manuel Miranda Curb Your Enthusiasm Lin-Manuel Miranda "Fatwa!" HBO
2019
(71st)
Luke Kirby The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Lenny Bruce "All Alone" Amazon
Matt Damon Saturday Night Live Brett Kavanaugh / Various roles "Host: Matt Damon" NBC
Robert De Niro Robert Mueller "Host: Sandra Oh"
Peter MacNicol Veep Jeff Kane "Oslo" HBO
John Mulaney Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: John Mulaney" NBC
Adam Sandler "Host: Adam Sandler"
Rufus Sewell The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Declan Howell "Look, She Made a Hat" Amazon

2020s

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Year Actor Program Role Episode Network
2020
(72nd)
Eddie Murphy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Eddie Murphy" NBC
Adam Driver Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Adam Driver" NBC
Luke Kirby The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Lenny Bruce "It's Comedy or Cabbage" Amazon
Dev Patel Modern Love Joshua "When Cupid Is a Prying Journalist"
Brad Pitt Saturday Night Live Anthony Fauci "SNL at Home #2" NBC
Fred Willard (posthumous) Modern Family Frank Dunphy "Legacy" ABC
2021
(73rd)
Dave Chappelle Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Dave Chappelle" NBC
Alec Baldwin Saturday Night Live President Donald Trump "Host: Dave Chappelle" NBC
Morgan Freeman The Kominsky Method Himself "The Round Toes, Of The High Shoes" Netflix
Daniel Kaluuya Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Daniel Kaluuya" NBC
Dan Levy "Host: Dan Levy"
2022
(74th)
Nathan Lane Only Murders in the Building Teddy Dimas "The Boy from 6B" Hulu
Jerrod Carmichael Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Jerrod Carmichael" NBC
Bill Hader Curb Your Enthusiasm Igor/Gregor/Timor "Igor, Gregor, & Timor" HBO
James Lance Ted Lasso Trent Crimm "Inverting the Pyramid of Success" Apple TV+
Christopher McDonald Hacks Marty Ghilain "The One, the Only" HBO Max
Sam Richardson Ted Lasso Edwin Akufo "Midnight Train to Royston" Apple TV+
2023
(75th)
Sam Richardson Ted Lasso Edwin Akufo "International Break" Apple TV+
Jon Bernthal The Bear Michael Berzatto "Braciole" FX
Luke Kirby The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Lenny Bruce "Four Minutes" Prime Video
Nathan Lane Only Murders in the Building Teddy Dimas "Here's Looking at You..." Hulu
Pedro Pascal Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Pedro Pascal" NBC
Oliver Platt The Bear Jimmy "Cicero" Kalinowski "Dogs" FX
2024
(76th)
Jon Bernthal The Bear Michael Berzatto "Fishes" FX
Matthew Broderick Only Murders in the Building Matthew Broderick "CoBro" Hulu
Ryan Gosling Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Ryan Gosling" NBC
Christopher Lloyd Hacks Larry Arbuckle "The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular" Max
Bob Odenkirk The Bear Uncle Lee "Fishes" FX
Will Poulter Luca "Honeydew"

Individuals with multiple wins

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Programs with multiple awards

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Individuals with multiple nominations

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Programs with multiple nominations

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Notes

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  1. ^ In 2000, Henry Winkler was nominated for the canceled NBC sitcom Battery Park. After the Television Academy learned that his episode aired in June — after the May 31 cut-off — Winkler was ruled ineligible and sixth place finisher William H. Macy received the nomination in his place.
  2. ^ In 2016, Peter MacNicol was nominated for the HBO series Veep. His nomination was rescinded after it was determined that MacNicol had appeared in five out of ten episodes in the fifth season of Veep, violating the TV Academy's rule that to be ruled eligible for a guest acting category, a performer must have appeared in "less than 50 percent" of a season's episodes. Seventh place finisher Peter Scolari received the nomination in his place, going on to win the category.

References

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  1. ^ "27th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  2. ^ "28th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  3. ^ "28th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  4. ^ "29th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  5. ^ "29th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  6. ^ "30th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  7. ^ "30th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Emmy messes with Fonz". TV Guide. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  9. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2010". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2011". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  11. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2012". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  12. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2013". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  13. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2014". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  14. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2015". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  15. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2016". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Feinberg, Scott. "Emmys: TV Academy Disqualifies 'Veep' Acting Nominee (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  17. ^ "Nominees/Winners 2017". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 13, 2017.