Tramell Tillman won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Mr. Milchick in “Severance” on Sunday night.
He is the first Black actor to win in the category.
Tillman, 40, gave an emotional speech to accept the award and quoted his mother, who was in the audience.
“’You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work. Show up. And most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,’” Tillman said.
“My first acting coach was tough, y’all. But all great mothers are,” he continued to rousing applause and laughter from the audience.
“Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up,” he said. “Your loving kindness stays with me. And this is for you.”
On the red carpet, Tillman talked to E! host Zuri Hall about bringing his mom as his date to the ceremony.
“It’s a dream,” he said. “She’s the reason that I’m here in so many ways, and to be able to have this moment — to bring her here — I think it’s such a lesson.”
People on X, formerly Twitter, praised Tillman’s speech and big win.
In the weeks before the Emmys ceremony, Tillman acknowledged his history-making nomination.
“Do I feel a weight? No. I feel honored to join the legacy of these incredible storytellers. I’m ambitious and would love an Emmy, but I’ve learned it’s not up to me,” he told Variety in August.
“Severance” is streaming on Apple TV+.