Emmy wins for Viola Davis, Jon Hamm, ‘Transparent,’ ‘Veep’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Long-standing barriers fell at Sunday’s Emmy Awards as Viola Davis became the first non-white actress to claim top drama acting honors, Jon Hamm finally won for “Mad Men,” and “Game of Thrones” overcame Emmy anti-fantasy resistance to claim the top drama award.

An emotional Davis won for her portrayal of a ruthless lawyer in “How to Get Away With Murder.”

“Mad Men” star Hamm claimed the best drama actor Emmy that eluded him seven times before. He bypassed the steps to the Emmy stage, scrambling onto it on his stomach.

Peter Dinklage nabbed the best supporting drama actor award for “Game of Thrones,” which also won writing and directing trophies. Tracy Morgan, the actor-comedian seriously injured last year in a car accident, made a triumphant return to reveal “Game of Thrones” as the best drama series.

On the comedy side, political satire “Veep” claimed the top series award that had gone to “Modern Family” for five consecutive years. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored as best lead comedy actress for “Veep” for the fourth time.

Jon Stewart is gone from “The Daily Show” but not forgotten by Emmy voters, who gave the late-night show the best variety talk series award over another host who’s moved on, Stephen Colbert.

“Transparent” emerged as an early winner, capturing a best comedy actor trophy for Jeffrey Tambor and a directing award for its creator, and giving both winners a chance to pay tribute to the show’s trangender themes.

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