We Have Never Seen So Many Actors Look So Delighted To Lose An Emmy

This is how you turn a loss into a win.

A moment shared between three actors who lost their category during the 2025 Emmy Awards has gone viral – and refreshingly, it’s for a positive reason.

Colman Domingo, Bowen Yang and Michael Urie were all nominated during Sunday night’s ceremony in the Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series category for their performances in The Four Seasons, Saturday Night Live and Shrinking, respectively.

But they all lost to the lesser-known Jeff Hiller, who won the coveted award for his hilariously heartwarming performance in the cult US series, Somebody Somewhere.

And while fellow nominees like Harrison Ford, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ike Barinholtz appeared to respond to the loss with polite disappointment — Colman, Bowen and Michael reactions were truly surprising. 

Upon hearing the veteran Upright Citizens Brigade comedian’s name as the winner, all three men appeared to be absolutely elated to lose to him.

Colman’s jaw dropped before he applauded enthusiastically. Michael beamed with happiness as his hands shot up with surprise. And Bowen immediately jumped out of his seat excitedly in order to give his peer a standing ovation. 

In a very funny contrast, upon hearing his own name announced as the winner, a stunned Jeff looked around utterly confused.

But, much like his character Joel in Somebody Somewhere, Jeff eventually got his footing.

After sharing a kiss with his husband, artist Neil Goldberg, he got up, shrugged to someone in the audience, and then proceeded to the stage with a look of disbelief and glee on his face.

As he walked, Bowen could be seen covering his cheeks with his hands and smiling. Michael looked especially moved by Jeff’s win — since he directed Hiller in an off-Broadway production of Bright Colours And Bold Patterns in 2018.

“I feel like I’m going to cry,” Jef began his acceptance speech. “Because for the past 25 years, I’ve been like, ‘World! I want to be an actor!’ And the world’s like, ‘Mmm, maybe computers’.”

After thanking US broadcaster HBO for “putting a show about sweaty middle-aged people” on the same network as “the sexy teens of Euphoria”, Jeff went on to encapsulate why Somebody Somewhere is so beloved.

“Thank you to the Duplass brothers, Carolyn Strauss, Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen ― who wrote a show about connecting and love in this time when compassion is seen as a weakness,” Jeff said, hailing the producers and creators on the show.

And showing compassion may be precisely why a clip of Colman, Bowen and Michael celebrating Jeff’s win went viral on a somewhat unlikely social media platform Sunday — the Elon Musk-ran X.

Many users were touched to see the three actors set their egos aside to support someone they clearly admire — with many saying the moment as the “highlight” of the Emmys ceremony.

Colman, Michael and Bowen also doubled-down on their love for Jeff on their Instagram accounts after the ceremony.

“We love the gays,” Colman wrote alongside screenshots of his, Bowen and Michael’s reactions to Jeff’s wins on Instagram.

Michael published an Instagram story with a screenshot of Jeff holding his Emmy and noted that actors celebrating the win is what “community should be”.

Bowen also published an Instagram story with a screenshot of Jeff onstage accepting his award. 

“BOOM BOOM JEFF MILLER,” overlaying text read.

Jeff later wrote in an Instagram post of his own: “Art is subjective and the idea that one actor can ‘win’ over another is strange, especially the incredible talent in this category. Literal iconic legends of movies, cousin, even Sal Saperstein!

“And I was so moved that the other queer actors in the category would be so sweet and supportive. The most exciting thing is that hopefully more people will see the great work of the Somebody Somewhere team and start watching the show. It’s really good and doesn’t take a long time to watch! Also, I looked freaking amazing henny.”