Despite multiple Emmy nominations, many well-known actors, including Seth Rogen, have yet to secure a win at the prestigious awards ceremony. This year is particularly notable as Rogen is up for four Emmys, highlighting his ongoing presence in the competition.
Seth Rogen, who began his television career on Freaks & Geeks in 1999, has earned nine Emmy nominations across projects such as Pam & Tommy and The Boys, yet has not won. For the current awards, his nominations include Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for The Studio, marking a potentially breakthrough year.
Several other prominent actors share a similar record of multiple Emmy nods without wins. Kaley Cuoco, well known for her roles on The Big Bang Theory and The Flight Attendant, has three nominations but no Emmy award, despite her extensive work in television. Likewise, Steve Carell, nominated 11 times for performances on The Office and The Morning Show, remains without a trophy. Noah Wyle, famous for his portrayal of Dr. John Carter on ER in the 1990s, has renewed opportunities with his recent nominations for The Pitt this year.
I gave up hope that this was going to be something that my career was going to be part of again, that this focus would beyond my work,
Noah recently admitted to People about securing his first Emmy nominations since 1999. It’s really amazing.
Kaley Cuoco’s Emmy Journey
Kaley Cuoco has been notably overlooked for her long-running role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory, a show whose co-star Jim Parsons won four Emmys playing Sheldon. Instead, her Emmy recognition has come from her recent performances as Cassie on HBO‘s The Flight Attendant, receiving two nominations. Despite her prominent sitcom role, she has yet to translate her popularity into Emmy success.
Steve Carell’s Continued Quest for Emmy Victory
Steve Carell’s work as Michael Scott on The Office earned him six personal Emmy nominations, while his role as Mitch Kessler on The Morning Show brought an additional nomination. Despite eleven nods overall, he remains among the notable actors without an Emmy win.
Keri Russell’s Recent Recognition
Keri Russell has earned four nominations for her performance in The Diplomat, including a nod in 2023. Although acknowledged frequently, an Emmy statuette has yet to come her way.
Kathryn Hahn and Natasha Lyonne: Consistently Nominated
Kathryn Hahn, nominated three times most recently for Tiny Beautiful Things in 2023, and Natasha Lyonne, with four nominations culminating in 2023 for Poker Face, both maintain a strong presence in Emmy voting without capturing the award.
Friends Cast Members Without Emmy Wins
The beloved sitcom Friends has a unique gap in awards history. While Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston have won Emmys, Matthew Perry, despite four nominations—including one for Chandler Bing and others for The West Wing and The Ron Clark Story—has not won. Even more surprising, Courteney Cox is the sole core cast member never to have earned an individual Emmy nomination, aside from a group nomination in 2021 for the Friends reunion special. Matt LeBlanc also received seven nominations for playing Joey on Friends and in Episodes, yet he too has no Emmy wins. David Schwimmer received individual nods, including for Ross on Friends and for portraying Robert Kardashian on American Crime Story, but won no awards.
Connie Britton’s Emmy Record
Connie Britton has accumulated five Emmy nominations across various roles, notably for Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights and appearances in American Horror Story, Nashville, and The White Lotus. Despite these multiple nods, she remains without an Emmy.
Kristen Wiig and Hugh Laurie Among the Emmy-Least Winners
Kristen Wiig holds nine individual Emmy nominations, seven for her Saturday Night Live performances. Similarly, Hugh Laurie has been nominated eight times, most famously as Dr. House, yet he has not won, a fact often remarked upon given his popularity.
Octavia Spencer and Angela Lansbury’s Emmy Experiences
Octavia Spencer, who won an Oscar for The Help, was first nominated for an Emmy in 2020 for Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, but has not yet secured the television honor. Legend Angela Lansbury received 18 Emmy nominations during her career, including 12 for Murder, She Wrote, but never won an Emmy either.
Cate Blanchett’s Emmy Nominations
Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie in 2020 for Mrs. America. Despite numerous accolades in film, she has not won an Emmy yet.
Lauren Graham’s Lack of Emmy Recognition
Known widely for her role as Lorelai Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, Lauren Graham has never received an Emmy nomination. Nonetheless, she earned two SAG Award nominations and one Golden Globe, reflecting industry acknowledgment apart from the Emmys.
Denzel Washington’s Shared Emmy Nods
Though a two-time Oscar winner, Denzel Washington’s Emmy nominations include Outstanding Non-Fiction Special for Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks in 2001 and Outstanding Informational Special for Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream in 1995, both shared credits, without a win.
Amy Adams and Emilia Clarke’s Emmy Struggles
Amy Adams, with six Oscar nominations, earned an Emmy nomination for Sharp Objects in 2019 but is yet to claim a win. Emilia Clarke was nominated multiple times between 2013 and 2019 for her role as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, yet she has also not won.
Kit Harington and Beyoncé’s Emmy Histories
Kit Harington received two Emmy nominations for Jon Snow on Game of Thrones without a win. Beyoncé has been nominated four times for her Homecoming Variety Special in 2019 and several other projects, including Lemonade and the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show, but an Emmy victory remains elusive.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Singular Emmy Nomination
Oscar-winning Leonardo DiCaprio earned one Emmy nomination for the 2014 documentary Virunga, centered on mountain gorillas, for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. This nomination stands as his sole Emmy recognition, without a win.
Hugh Grant’s Recent Emmy Nods
Hugh Grant has garnered Emmy nominations for roles in The Undoing and A Very English Scandal, adding to the list of acclaimed actors yet to win an Emmy award.
Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore’s Nominations for This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series three times between 2017 and 2019 for This Is Us, but did not win, similarly, Mandy Moore received one Emmy nomination for the same show in 2019 without taking home the award.
Lena Dunham and Don Cheadle: Multiple Nominations Without Wins
Lena Dunham accumulated eight Emmy nominations for Girls, including categories for acting and directing. Don Cheadle has had 11 acting nominations but has not secured a victory, a surprising outcome given his extensive career.
The persistent absence of an Emmy win among these acclaimed performers, despite numerous nominations, highlights the competitive nature of the awards and the fine margins that separate winners from nominees. As Seth Rogen and others remain in contention, the upcoming ceremony may finally change their fortunes, reflecting their sustained contributions to television. The outcomes this year will both acknowledge exceptional talent and continue the long narrative of some of the industry’s brightest stars still awaiting their Emmy moment.
