How to Get Nominated for a Guest Actor Emmy: Already Be Famous
For actors who aren't big names, TV presents a rare gift: the chance to come in for an episode and have a part that's as juicy and lengthy as that of any feature film's. Many a career has been launched to the next level by an actor whose striking performance forced us to lean forward on our couches, asking, "Who is that?" Sadly, they will always lose their chance at being nominated for a Guest Actor Emmy if, like, Jennifer Aniston decides to do a few days on 30 Rock or something.
Welcome to the world of the Primetime Emmys, which increasingly manages to use its twenty Guest Actor and Actress nominations to do one of two things: serve as a back-pat for veteran actors, and act as a thank-you gift to film stars slumming for a week. This year's nominees are hardly any different.
Outstanding Guest Actor - Drama Series
- Edward Asner - CSI: NY
- Ernest Borgnine - ER
- Ted Danson - Damages
- Michael J. Fox - Rescue Me
- Jimmy Smits - Dexter
Outstanding Guest Actor - Comedy Series
- Alan Alda - 30 Rock
- Beau Bridges - Desperate Housewives
- Jon Hamm - 30 Rock
- Steve Martin - 30 Rock
- Justin Timberlake - Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Guest Actress - Comedy Series
- Jennifer Aniston in 30 Rock
- Christine Baranski in The Big Bang Theory
- Tina Fey in Saturday Night Live
- Gena Rowlands in Monk
- Elaine Stritch in 30 Rock
- Betty White in My Name is Earl
Outstanding Guest Actress - Drama Series
- Brenda Blethyn - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Carol Burnett - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Ellen Burstyn - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Sharon Lawrence - Grey's Anatomy
- CCH Pounder - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
All right guys, I saw the ER finale Ernest Borgnine was nominated for, and he had hardly anything to do in that. It's not quite the scandal of Ellen Burstyn being nominated that one year for ten seconds of screentime, but...oh, look who's nominated again this year, Ellen Burstyn.
Mix it up a little! Television offers an embarassment of riches when it comes to up-and-coming actors booking guest roles. Sure, you might not know their names the way you know Justin Timberlake's (which, really?), but pause your DVR on those hasty, squeezed-to-the-side end credits sometime, and learn something! Can I introduce you to Patrick Fischler, who memorably recurred on every single television show ever this past season -- including Drama Series nominees Lost and Mad Men? If you'd like to reward the Patricks of the world next time, be our guest.
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Comments
To win a guest actor Emmy, it helps to be beloved, endlessly optimistic and/or have Parkinson's. (Thanks for playing, Asner, Borgnine, Danson and Smits.)
Bite yer tongues! Christine Baranski effin' killed on BBT--she deserves an Emmy, your undying love, and your first born served on a sterling silver platter
Another thing to quibble about with all of the nominees of the guest actor/actress categories, every single one has been nominated at least once for an Emmy before (even Timberlake won for D*** in the Box too). More than 50% have also won at least once.
what's with the patchwork penis in that picture?
Thanks for this post -- stunt casting drives me nuts. Yes, Baranski rocked it, and others, too, but would it kill the Emmys to recognize excellent work by those who might be bringing in the SAG day player minimums for a change? Networks are terrified to cast anyone who isn't recognizable in guest spots, then whine about how expensive scripted shows are. Mix it up, indeed.