The 2022 Primetime EMMYs aired Monday night (September 12), and – when not dropping jaws for shocking wins and upsets – saw itself penciled in record books for a number of reasons.
None know this better than ‘Abbott Elementary’ stars Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph – both of whom took home golden statuettes and walked right into the show’s history halls by doing so.
See how inside.
Despite being a legend of screen and stage for over 40 years, Ralph is no stranger to seeing her accomplishments unsung as she’s missed out on previous TONY, NAACP Image Award, and other nominations for her prized acting.
That changed Monday when the 65-year-old – who portrays “Barbara Howard” on the hit ABC comedy ‘Abbott’ – defeated Juno Temple, Janelle James, Sarah Niles, Alex Borstein, Kate McKinnon, Hannah Waddingham, and Hannah Einbinder to collect the 2022 EMMYs’ “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” trophy.
By doing so, she not only becomes the first Black woman this century to nab the honor but she also becomes only the second in the ceremony’s 74-year history to do so. Jackee Harry became the first Black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy back in 1987.
Brunson, writer and leading star of ‘Abbott,’ had already made history before she even entered the year’s EMMYs as she was the first Black woman ever to be nominated for acting, outstanding comedy, writing in the same year.
Sweeping the comedy writing category, Quinta is the third Black person overall (and second Black woman) to win the trophy. She follows previous winners Larry Wilmore and Lena Waithe.
For Ralph and Brunson, the victories are their first respective EMMY wins. Click here to see the full list of 2022 winners.
So happy for Sheryl Lee Ralph…so deserved, good for her!
Wonderful. Happy for both women!!!!
And, the Jimmy Kimmel skit was all fun, people need to calm down!