Jeff Hiller Wins First Emmy for Somebody Somewhere and Delivers Heartfelt Speech
Actor, comedian, and improviser Jeff Hiller is now the name on everyone’s lips after scoring a career-defining win at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. On Sunday night, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Hiller took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his moving performance as Joel in HBO’s Somebody Somewhere.
It was a long time coming for the 49-year-old. After over two decades in the industry, Hiller finally had his Emmy moment—and he made sure to leave a mark. His speech was part gratitude, part humor, and full of heart, reflecting the same authenticity that’s made him beloved by fans.
“I feel like I’m gonna cry because the past 25 years I’ve been like, ‘World, I wanna be an actor,’ and the world’s like, ‘Maybe computers,’” Hiller said, bringing laughter and applause.
A Speech to Remember
Hiller’s acceptance speech touched on much more than just acting. He thanked HBO for airing “a show about sweaty, middle-aged people” on the same network as the “sexy teens of Euphoria,” a moment that quickly trended online.
He then praised the Somebody Somewhere writers for making a show about “connection and love in a time when compassion is seen as a weakness.” In those few words, he summed up what the series has meant to so many viewers.
The most emotional part of the speech came when Hiller gave a heartfelt shoutout to his husband, Neil Goldberg, his family, and Bridget Everett, his co-star and the show’s creator. “Thank you for never laughing at me,” he told Neil, and thanked Everett “for changing my life and making me believe in myself.”
Meet Neil Goldberg: Jeff Hiller’s Life Partner
Jeff Hiller is married to Neil Goldberg, a visual artist and teacher based in New York City. The couple resides in the Lower East Side of Manhattan with their cat Beverly and dog Yvonne.
Goldberg holds a degree in history and computer science from Brown University and is known for his mixed media work in photography, video, and performance art. His work has been featured in high-profile institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the New Museum, the Hammer Museum, and the British Film Institute.
He has taught at the Yale School of Art since 2013 and serves on the Board of Governors at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, where he was also a resident faculty member. Goldberg’s long list of fellowships and residencies includes Guggenheim, NYSCA, Harpo Foundation, and MacDowell.
He has also mentored young LGBTQ+ artists through the Queer | Art | Mentorship program and has supported nonprofit arts organizations like Street Cry since 2018.
A Long Climb to Overnight Success
Jeff Hiller’s Emmy is a crowning moment in a career that’s been anything but an overnight success. Born in San Antonio, Texas in December 1975, Hiller started in improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade in the early 2000s, where he eventually became a teacher.
He earned his degree from Texas Lutheran University, then went on to appear in several popular TV shows including Ugly Betty, Psych, Community, and Guiding Light. On film, he appeared in Morning Glory and Ghost Town.
In the theater world, Hiller has had a standout presence. He played Jack Quincy Adams in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and starred in off-Broadway productions like Bright Colors and Bold Patterns and Silence!—a musical parody of The Silence of the Lambs. Most recently, he appeared in the 2025 revival of Urinetown as Mr. MacQueen.
The Book, the Podcast, and the Peabody
In June 2025, Hiller released his memoir, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success. That same month, he was a guest panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, further solidifying his position in pop culture.
He also runs an all-gay improv group called Neely O’Hara, bringing together LGBTQ+ comedians to share stories, laughter, and representation on stage. In 2022, Hiller earned a Peabody Award for Somebody Somewhere, laying the groundwork for his Emmy win.
Beating a Star-Studded Category
Hiller’s Emmy win was no easy feat. He beat out an impressive list of nominees including:
- Harrison Ford (Shrinking)
- Ike Barinholtz (The Studio)
- Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons)
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
- Michael Urie (Shrinking)
- Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live)
It was a tight race, but Hiller’s grounded, emotional performance as Joel captured hearts—and votes.
Jeff Hiller’s Emmy win wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a victory for every underdog artist who kept showing up. With his husband by his side, years of work behind him, and a future full of creative promise, Hiller is proof that success doesn’t always follow a straight path.
From small improv stages to one of television’s biggest nights, Jeff Hiller has arrived—and he’s not going anywhere.
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