The stars of the show who made history

Every awards season, we brace ourselves for unforgettable moments, emotional speeches and historic victories. But over the past few years, one awards show has consistently set new standards and made history: the Emmy Awards. Some of the most popular shows and artists have graced the Emmy stage – and made history in the process.

The first Emmy was awarded in 1949. Over 70 years later, the medium of television has completely transformed, thanks in large part to streaming services. But that's not the only thing that's changed. Certain TV shows and artists have made incredible breakthroughs in certain categories, and it's because of them that we're so excited to see what might happen on the upcoming broadcast!

History has already been made at the Emmys with the 2021 nominees. Among them was Mj Rodriguez, whose soulful performance in the FX drama series pose The artist has received rave reviews since the series premiered, with Rodriguez becoming the first openly transgender woman to be nominated in the category.

Others who have made history on previous airings include Rodriguez's co-star Billy Porter, who made history in 2019 when he won Best Actor in a Drama Series. pose as the first openly gay man to win the award. But there's so much more history to dig into before we get to the show.

Take a look back at some of the most exciting and historic Emmy Award wins since the show's inception.

A version of this article was originally published in September 2021.

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Ali Wong's big victory

In 2024, Ali Wong made history as the first Asian American actress to win Outstanding Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and the first woman of Asian descent to win an Emmy for a Leading Role, for her role in beef.

Quinta Brunson makes history again

Also at the Emmy Awards 2024 Abbott Elementary Schooltar and creator Quinta Brunson won the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The award made history as it was the first time in over 40 years that a black woman won in this category. The last time Isabel Sanford won was in 1981 for The Jeffersons, per The New York Times.

Double trouble

In addition to Brunson's major milestone, the 2024 Emmys also marked the first time in history that two black women won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in the same year. The bear's Ayo Edebiri, who also made guest appearances in Abbottwon for the supporting role.

Keke Palmer lands another premiere

At the Daytime Emmy Awards on January 13, 2024, Keke Palmer accepted the Emmy for Best Game Show Host for NBC’s password.

Palmer is the first woman to do so since the category moved from the Daytime Awards to the Primetime Emmys 15 years ago.

Lee Jung-jae's historic acting victory

With his award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Lee Jung-jae became the first South Korean actor to receive this prestigious award.

Hwang Dong-hyuk's directorial victory

Hwang Dong-hyuk made history in the “Directing a Drama Series” category by becoming the first South Korean to win the coveted statuette.

Zendaya's second victory

Zendaya made history twice with her win as Best Actress in a Drama Series for her work in euphoriaShe was the first black actress to win this award twice and the youngest actress to win this award again!

Quinta Brunson makes history

Quinta Brunson made history at the 2022 Emmys by becoming the first black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

Sheryl Lee Ralph reaches a milestone

Sheryl Lee Ralph won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary Schoolmaking her the first black woman to do so in 35 years. The last black woman to win the award was Jackée Harry for 227 in 1987, according to The Wrap.

“To anyone who has ever had a dream and thought it wouldn't or couldn't come true, I want to say: This is what faith looks like,” Ralph said in her acceptance speech, according to Variety.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Commander in Chief of Emmy Winnings

With her hilarious performance in the HBO series VeepJulia Louis-Dreyfus became the most awarded actress for her role in the same series. Louis-Dreyfus won a whopping six Emmy Awards for her performance. With these six, the actress has won a total of 11 Emmy Awards for acting and producing.

Viola Davis' winning moment

Viola Davis made history at the 2015 Emmy Awards when she became the first woman of color to win the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series. How to get away with murderBefore her historic win, Debbie Allen, Alfre Woodard, Cicely Tyson, Regina Taylor and Kerry Washington were already nominated in this category, according to Vanity Fair. To make the evening even more special, Davis was nominated alongside Taraji P. Henson for Empire. This is the first time that multiple women of color have been nominated in this category.

Zendaya is the ball queen

The 2020 Emmy Awards were full of surprises. They took place in the middle of a pandemic, the Emmy Awards were presented to the winners, and everyone was practically in a giant Zoom meeting. Yet history was made that night when Zendaya became the youngest person to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Euphoria—she was only 24 years old!

The editors of “A Black Lady Sketch Show” make history

Daysha Broadway (from left), Stephanie Filo and Jessica Hernandez pose with the award for outstanding picture editing in the Variety program for A sketch show with a black lady at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, September 11, 2021, in Los Angeles. The win for the sketch comedy series is the first in which a team of women of color took home the top prize!

The category is: Billy Porter's Unmatched Excellence

In 2019, Billy Porter became the first openly gay man to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for pose. In addition to his historic victory, Porter's speech was equally moving, in which he quoted James Baldwin and proclaimed that the category was “love.”

RuPaul Charles dances into the history books

RuPaul Charles seems to follow history wherever he goes. RuPaul's Drag Race The host currently holds the record for most awards for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, with six Emmy Awards to his credit. RuPaul has also won a total of 10 Emmy Awards, putting him in a tie with Donald A. Morgan, who has won the most Emmy Awards for a person of color – 10 Emmys in total!

Ron Cephas-Jones and Jasmine Cephas-Jones are a golden father-daughter couple

In 2020, Ron Cephas-Jones and his daughter Jasmine Cephas-Jones became the first father-daughter pair to win Emmys! Ron Cephas-Jones won his second Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in this is uswhile Jasmine Cephas-Jones won her first Emmy for outstanding actress in a short comedy or drama series for #FreeRayshawn.

The historic victories of Maya Rudolph, Regina King and Uzo Aduba

Viola Davis made history at the 2015 Emmy Awards when she became the first woman of color to win the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series. How to get away with murder. Before her historic win, Debbie Allen, Alfre Woodard, Cicely Tyson, Regina Taylor and Kerry Washington were all nominated in this category, according to Vanity FairTo make the evening even more special, Davis was nominated along with Taraji P. Henson for Richwhich was the first time that multiple women of color were represented in this category.

“Schitt's Creek” ends with a bang

After the last season Schitt’s Creek basically swept all of the Emmys. During the 2020 broadcast, all four actors won their respective Emmy Awards, as well as awards for writing, cast, and outstanding comedy series.

“Game of Thrones” is the undisputed number one drama series

When the historic series came to an end, game of Thrones really towered over the competition. The series is the most awarded in the drama category, with a total of 59 Emmy Awards. It also has the most awards for a series in a single year (12) and the most awards for a series in its final season (12).

Michaela Coel leaves her mark

At the 2021 Emmy Awards, Michaela Coel made history, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for I could destroy youCoel is the first black woman to win this category.