Jeff Hiller Clinches First Emmy for ‘Somebody Somewhere’

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2025 - Jeff Hiller won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday at the Peacock Theater, marking his first win for his role as Joel in HBO’s Somebody Somewhere.

A Breakthrough After 25 Years Hiller’s surprise victory underscores the industry’s embrace of authentic, character-driven storytelling. After nearly three decades in minor TV roles, he finally earned the Academy’s top supporting honor in comedy, spotlighting both his performance and the acclaimed series.

Surprise Win and Emotional Speech

• “I feel like I’m going to cry, because for the last 25 years I’ve been saying, ‘World, I want to be an actor,’ and the world has responded, ‘Maybe computers,’” Hiller told the audience, fighting back tears.
• He paid tribute to HBO for championing stories about “sweaty, middle-aged individuals alongside the young allure of Euphoria,” and thanked the Duplass brothers for crafting a narrative centered on empathy and connection.
• Hiller singled out co-star Bridget Everett, crediting her with transforming his life and inspiring others to believe in themselves.

Stiff Competition and Industry Impact

• Hiller prevailed over nominees Ike Barinholtz (The Studio), Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons), Harrison Ford (Shrinking), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), Michael Urie (Shrinking) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live).
• His win-against established stars like Ford and Yang-signals a shift toward celebrating nuanced ensemble performances in comedy.
• Somebody Somewhere also earned a nomination for Best Writing, positioning the series as a breakout success for HBO.

What’s Next for Hiller and the Series

With this milestone victory, Hiller is poised for greater visibility and lead roles. Somebody Somewhere returns for its final season later this year, buoyed by renewed viewership and critical acclaim following his Emmy triumph.