--- description: From Steve Carell to Sandra Oh, these famous actors still have yet to win an Emmy — and many are up for awards at the 71st Emmys this year. title: These Famous Actors Have Never Won an Emmy image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt609027ac515a54cd/698a030b8fd2ee0f773601e2/sandra-oh.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [awards](/tag/awards/) ## awards Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # These Famous Actors Have Never Won an Emmy Award  by [Raisa Bruner](/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 18, 2019 8:40 PM CUT  US actress Sandra Oh arrives on the red carpet for the Time 100 Gala at the Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2019. US actress Sandra Oh arrives on the red carpet for the Time 100 Gala at the Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2019.ANGELA WEISS—AFP/Getty Images  by [Raisa Bruner](/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 18, 2019 8:40 PM CUT On Sunday night, the [71st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards](https://time.com/5668732/emmys-2019/ "undefined") will air on Fox. Long considered television’s biggest night, Emmy competition has become increasingly stiff as high-quality shows [have proliferated](https://time.com/5601973/how-tv-and-film-are-converging/ "undefined"), thanks in part to the continued expansion of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon. For many actors, 2019 marks a final chance to take home a prize after years of playing a beloved character: shows including [_Game of Thrones_](https://time.com/5634309/hbo-rejects-game-of-thrones-season-8-petition/ "undefined") and[ _Veep_](https://time.com/4930772/veep-hbo-season-7-last/ "undefined") recently ended their blockbuster runs. That means that stars like [Kit Harington](https://time.com/5660385/kit-harington-game-of-thrones-marvel-cinematic-universe/ "undefined"), Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, [Sophie Turner](https://time.com/5662525/sophie-turner-vmas-2019/ "undefined"), Maisie Williams, Alfie Allen and [Gwendoline Christie](https://time.com/5628843/game-of-thrones-brienne-emmy/ "undefined") are all looking to snag that elusive Emmy for their roles on the HBO behemoth. Similarly, _Veep_‘s Anna Chlumsky is up for an award after five years with no luck; over at ABC’s _Black-ish_, Anthony Anderson has come up empty-handed for eight years, while [Sandra Oh](https://time.com/5574440/time-100-2019-sandra-oh-toast-2/ "undefined"), nominated this year for _Killing Eve_, received many nominations but no prizes throughout her many years on _Grey’s Anatomy._ Some of this may change Sunday night, but even if it doesn’t, these famous actors are in good company, with plenty of other successful stars — like Steve Carrell, David Duchovny and Mindy Kaling — whose lauded small-screen performances failed to yield Emmys hardware. Read on to see the famous actors who still have yet to win an Emmy Award. ## Kit Harington  Kit Harington arrives at the Game of Thrones Season Finale Premiere at the Waterfront Hall on April 12, 2019 in Belfast, UK Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic for HBO After starring as Jon Snow in _Game of Thrones_ — which just completed its final season — Harington is up for an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Actor this year. He was nominated in 2016 as a supporting actor on the show but has never won. _Thrones_ was Harington’s breakout TV role, and the project to which he’s devoted most of his acting career so far. ## Jason Bateman  Actor Jason Bateman participates in a panel discussion during the annual Milken Institute Global Conference at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 29, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Michael Kovac—Getty Images This year marks [Bateman](https://time.com/5375670/jason-bateman-ozark/ "undefined")‘s first Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Drama Actor in Netflix’s _Ozark_. He’s also nominated this year for directing in a drama series, for the _Ozark_ episode “Reparations.” But he’s probably best known — on TV, anyway — for playing the beloved character Michael Bluth on _Arrested Development_ over the course of five seasons (none of which panned out with an Emmy for Bateman). ## Milo Ventimiglia  Milo Ventimiglia attends the NBC and Universal EMMY nominee celebration at Tesse Restaurant on August 13, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. Rachel Luna—WireImage The [_This Is Us_ star](https://time.com/money/5405702/this-is-us-cast-pay-raise-contract/ "undefined") was also nominated in 2017 and 2018, in addition to this year, for Outstanding Drama Actor in the popular series. Ventimiglia has been gracing TV screens for awhile, growing up as a heartthrob on shows like _Gilmore Girls_ and _Heroes_, but it’s only recently that the TV Academy has recognized his work. ## Billy Porter  Billy Porter attends 'Richard Quinn S/S 2020' fashion show during London Fashion Week September 2019 London on September 16, 2019 in London, England. Santiago Felipe—Getty Images While [Porter](https://time.com/5537621/billy-porter-dress-oscars-2019/ "undefined") has received a Tony for his work on Broadway, 2019 marks the _Pose_ star and Broadway veteran’s first Emmy nomination. ## Emilia Clarke  Emilia Clarke attends the 2019 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2019 in New York City. Taylor Hill—FilmMagic Before _Game of Thrones_, [Clarke](https://time.com/collection-post/5567865/emilia-clarke/ "undefined") had few notable acting credits to her name; the character of Daenerys Targaryen launched her to fame. She was nominated in 2013, 2015 and 2016 for her supporting role on _Thrones_, and this year she’s up for Outstanding Drama Actress for her work on the show’s final season. ## Robin Wright  Robin Wright attends the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic Wright received her sixth Emmy nomination this year for her role as [Claire Underwood](https://time.com/5333065/robin-wright-kevin-spacey-allegations-house-of-cards/ "undefined") on Netflix’s long-running _House of Cards_, where she led the series’ sixth season after Kevin Spacey was [removed from the show](https://time.com/5048018/house-of-cards-kevin-spacey/ "undefined"). Wright is a household name, but before she became an Underwood was better known for her film roles, including in the classic _Princess Bride_. Still, Wright is not a TV newbie; she was on the 1980s series _Santa Barbara_. ## Sandra Oh  US actress Sandra Oh arrives on the red carpet for the Time 100 Gala at the Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2019. ANGELA WEISS—AFP/Getty Images This is [not Oh’s first](https://time.com/collection-post/5567697/sandra-oh/ "undefined") Emmy rodeo: thanks to _Grey’s Anatomy_, she was a nominee as Outstanding Drama Actress every year from 2005 through 2009. _Killing Eve_ gave her another shot in 2018, with no luck. This year she’s up again for the same role, as well as for an _SNL_ guest spot. ## Mandy Moore  Mandy Moore attends the NBC and Universal EMMY nominee celebration at Tesse Restaurant on August 13, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. Rachel Luna—WireImage _This Is Us_ has brought [Moore](https://time.com/4819554/quick-talk-with-mandy-moore/ "undefined") her most successful TV role, and it earned her an Emmy nomination this year, for Outstanding Drama Actress. ## Giancarlo Esposito  Giancarlo Esposito attends the Better Call Saul FYC Event at the Television Academy on March 26, 2019 in North Hollywood, California. Tommaso Boddi—Getty Images for AMC The longtime [TV and film actor](https://time.com/4632188/giancarlo-esposito-better-call-saul/ "undefined") was nominated in 2012 for his work on _Breaking Bad_. Now he’s up for a prize for his work on the prequel to that show, _Better Call Saul_. His TV background has been extensive, with stints on shows like _Homicide_, _Law & Order_, _Revolution_, Netflix’s _The Get Down_ and _Once Upon a Time_. ## Alfie Allen  British actor Alfie Allen arrives for the "Game of Thrones" eighth and final season premiere at Radio City Music Hall on April 3, 2019 in New York city. ANGELA WEISS—AFP/Getty Images The _Game of Thrones_ actor received his first Emmy nod this year for his work as an emotional [Theon Greyjoy](https://time.com/4266226/game-of-thrones-season-6-spoilers-alfie-allen/ "undefined") in the show’s final season. Prior to _Thrones_, he had appeared in movies like 2007’s _Atonement_ and had small roles on some TV series, but Theon was Allen’s big breakout. ## Nikolaj Coster-Waldau  Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau arrives for the "Game of Thrones" eighth and final season premiere at Radio City Music Hall on April 3, 2019 in New York city. ANGELA WEISS—AFP/Getty Images Fellow _Game of Thrones_ actor [Coster-Waldau](https://time.com/5375086/game-of-thrones-nikolaj-coster-waldau-jaime-lannister-douche/ "undefined") is up for a second time for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of conflicted knight Jaime Lannister. Coster-Waldau has been acting for awhile, although most of his pre-_Thrones_ credits were in the movie world, not TV. ## Lena Headey  Lena Headey attends a special screening of "The Flood" at The Curzon Mayfair on June 14, 2019 in London, England. David M. Benett—Dave Benett/WireImage After five nominations for her work as Cersei Lannister on _Game of Thrones_, this is [Headey](https://time.com/5610048/game-of-thrones-cersei-miscarriage/ "undefined")‘s last chance with that show to nab the elusive prize for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Before playing Cersei, Headey was a working actor for nearly two decades, with roles in an eclectic mix of shows and movies from a _Merlin_ show to the action film _300_. ## Gwendoline Christie  Gwendoline Christie during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London. Isabel Infantes - PA Images—PA Images via Getty Images [Christie](https://time.com/5583486/game-of-thrones-gwendoline-christie-brienne-jaime/ "undefined"), who joined _Thrones_ in its second season, finally got some recognition from the Emmys this year, with her first nomination for her role as Brienne of Tarth_._ Christie has only a few credits before _Thrones,_ but since then has nabbed roles in the _Star Wars_ movies and the TV series T_op of the Lake_. ## Sophie Turner  Actress Sophie Turner attends the Heavy Photocall of the 45th Deauville American Film Festival on September 7, 2019 in Deauville, France. Foc Kan—FilmMagic This is [Turner](https://time.com/5514470/sophie-turner-racist-meme/ "undefined")‘s first year with Emmy attention as well, after finishing her turn as Sansa Stark on _Game of Thrones._ Like many in the _Thrones_ cast, it was her breakout role. ## Maisie Williams  Maisie Williams at “Game Of Thrones” Comic Con Autograph Signing 2019 on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic for HBO And the other Stark sister, Arya, also received an Emmy nomination. It’s not her first; she was also considered in 2016 for her portrayal of the [young royal](https://time.com/5563114/maisie-williams-sophie-turner-friendship/ "undefined") with a rebel streak. Arya was Williams’ first big acting credit. ## Fiona Shaw  Fiona Shaw attending the Killing Eve Season 2 photocall held at Curzon Soho, London. Ian West - PA Images—PA Images via Getty Images Shaw got two nods this year: for Supporting Actress on _Killing Eve_ and also for her guest role as a therapist on _Fleabag_. They’re the first nominations for the Irish actor, who has won Olivier awards for her work in the theater. ## Don Cheadle  Don Cheadle attends FYC Red Carpet Event For Showtimes' "Black Monday" at Saban Media Center on May 14, 2019 in North Hollywood, California. Leon Bennett—Getty Images [Cheadle](https://time.com/4143871/climate-change-conference-don-cheadle/ "undefined") has been nominated for nine Emmys over the years, for roles including his portrayal of Sammy Davis, Jr. in HBO’s _The Rat Pack_ back in 1999 and Marty Kaan on _House of Lies_. Now, he’s up for Outstanding Comedy Actor for this year’s _Black Monday_. ## Anthony Anderson  Anthony Anderson attends Black-ish 100th Episode Celebration at Walt Disney Studios on November 10, 2018 in Burbank, California. Earl Gibson III—Getty Images The _Black-ish_ star been nominated eight times with no wins — yet. The TV mainstay has been on shows like _The Shield, Law & Order_ and _Treme_ over the years. ## Phoebe Waller-Bridge  Phoebe Waller-Bridge attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Matt Crossick - PA Images—PA Images via Getty Images The [mastermind behind _Fleabag_](https://time.com/5590251/fleabag-season-2-review/ "undefined") has five nominations under her belt — one for her writing for _Killing Eve_ in 2018, and four this year for _Killing Eve_ and _Fleabag_, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. ## Natasha Lyonne  Natasha Lyonne attends the 'Orange Is The New Black' Final Season Premiere in New York. SOPA Images—SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Lyonne snagged her first Emmy nomination for a guest role on _Orange Is the New Black_ in 2014\. In 2019, she picked up three nominations for [_Russian Doll_](https://time.com/5509932/russian-doll-netflix-review/ "undefined"), including Outstanding Lead Actress. ## Alan Arkin  Alan Arkin is honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin—FilmMagic Despite his extensive acting career, Arkin has yet to take home an Emmy prize. He’s been nominated five times, going back to 1967\. This year, the Oscar winner is up for Supporting Actor in the Netflix comedy [_The Kominsky Method_](https://time.com/5450341/kominsky-method-review/ "undefined")_._ ## Olivia Colman  Winner of the Raindance 2019 Icon Award Olivia Colman attends the Raindance Film Festival's Special Soiree at The May Fair Hotel on August 20, 2019 in London, England. David M. Benett—Dave Benett/Getty Images Colman is an [Oscar winner](https://time.com/5456996/olivia-colman-the-crown-the-favourite/ "undefined"), but she has yet to take home an Emmy, despite impressive turns in TV series from _Broadchurch_ to _The Night Manager_. This is just her second nomination, for her supporting actress work as the unnamed godmother in _Fleabag_. ## Anna Chlumsky  Anna Chlumsky attends HBO FYC for "VEEP" at the Landmark Theaters on August 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic, for HBO The [_Veep_ supporting actress](https://time.com/4779560/thirty-shows-half-hour-sitcoms/item/veep/ "undefined") has been nominated six times, including this year, for her role as Amy, with no wins just yet. She’s also appeared on series including _Hannibal_ and _Halt and Catch Fire_, but it’s the _Veep_ role that’s been her Emmy ticket. ## Steve Carell  Steve Carell attends the "Welcome to Marwen" Screening & Conversation with Steve Carell at 92nd Street Y on December 20, 2018 in New York City. Dia Dipasupil—Getty Images Despite receiving nominations every year from 2006 to 2011 for his work as Michael Scott on [_The Office_](https://time.com/5614266/office-netflix-nbc-universal/ "undefined"), Carell has never won an Emmy. ## John Krasinski  John Krasinski accepts Best Sci-Fi or Horror Film for 'A Quiet Place' onstage during the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 13, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. Matt Winkelmeyer—Getty Images Carell’s _Office_ co-star Krasinski also got four nominations but no prizes for his portrayal of beloved office drone Jim. ## Mindy Kaling  Actor, writer and producer Mindy Kaling attends The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences official Academy screening of "Late Night" at the MoMA, Celeste Bartos Theater on June 5, 2019 in New York City. Lars Niki—Getty Images for The Academy Of Kaling, another _Office_ actor, received nominations for her work as a writer and producer on the show — but never won. ## Sofia Vergara  Sofia Vergara attends Sony Pictures' "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" Los Angeles Premiere on July 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin—FilmMagic Vergara received four nominations for her role as Gloria in _Modern Family_, but never got the prize. ## Connie Britton  Connie Britton attends InStyle's Badass Women Dinner With Foster Grant at The London West Hollywood on August 13, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. Vivien Killilea—Getty Images for InStyle Britton’s been nominated four times — including twice for playing the beloved character of Tami Taylor in _Friday Night Lights_ — all for lead actress roles. However, she has yet to win. ## Patrick Stewart  Patrick Stewart speaks at the "Enter The Star Trek Universe" Panel during 2019 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. Albert L. Ortega—Getty Images _Star Trek_‘s Captain Jean-Luc Picard may be an acting legend, but he’s not an Emmy winner, even with four nominations under his belt going back to 1998. ## David Duchovny  David Duchovny at A+E Networks, Mischief Management & Prometheus Entertainment present AlienCon 2018 at Pasadena Convention Center on June 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. Rodin Eckenroth—Getty Images _The X-Files_ was a cult classic, but it didn’t result in any Emmys for Duchovny, who played Fox Mulder. He’s received four nominations over the years. ## George Clooney  George Clooney attending the Catch-22 UK Premiere, held at VUE Cinema Westfield, London. Ian West - PA Images—PA Images via Getty Images Clooney is an Oscar-winning Hollywood star, but he’s still lacking Emmy hardware. He was nominated twice in the 1990s for his leading role on _ER_, and again for the “Hope for Haiti Now” special in 2010, with no wins. ## Rob Lowe  Rob Lowe from the series "Wild Bill" attends the 59th Monte Carlo TV Festival : Day Four on June 17, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis—Corbis via Getty Images Lowe was nominated in 2001 for his leading role on the long-time hit _The West Wing_, but didn’t manage to take home the prize then, or in the ensuing years. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5678557/actors-never-won-emmy/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5678557/actors-never-won-emmy/"},"headline":"These Famous Actors Have Never Won an Emmy Award","datePublished":"2019-09-18T20:40:02.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:56:38.628Z","description":"Could 2019 be the year for Sandra Oh, Kit Harington, Lena Headey and more?","url":"https://time.com/5678557/actors-never-won-emmy/","keywords":["awards"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt609027ac515a54cd/698a030b8fd2ee0f773601e2/sandra-oh.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Raisa Bruner","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt609027ac515a54cd/698a030b8fd2ee0f773601e2/sandra-oh.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"US-ENTERTAINMENT-TIME-100 GALA","caption":"US-ENTERTAINMENT-TIME-100 GALA","creditText":"ANGELA WEISS—AFP/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/awards/","name":"awards"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5678557/actors-never-won-emmy/","name":"These Famous Actors Have Never Won an Emmy Award"}}]}] ```