Tillman, who won for Severance, dedicated his award to his mother.
Tramell Tillman has written his name in the Emmys’ history books!
Severance star Tramell Tillman won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first Black man ever to win the award.
Tillman brought his mother to the ceremony. In his speech, he said his first acting coach was tough, adding that “all good mothers are.”
“Mama, you were there for me when no one was and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you,” he said. “Thank you to the Academy. I am full, I am humbled, I am honored, and as my mama would say, ‘Wooh! Look at God!'”
Earlier this year, Tillman told Variety that his mother was initially concerned for his acting career when he came out to her.
“I don’t want this to ruin your career,” Tillman’s mother reportedly told him at the time. “I don’t want you to be blackballed. I don’t want you to be pigeonholed.”
He emphasized that her reaction came from fear, not judgment, and that she told him, “Anyone you bring home, I will embrace him as my son.”
Tillman had already made history this year when he became the first out gay Black man to be nominated in the supporting actor drama category.
