Emmys 2025: Tramell Tillman’s Mom Has Tearful Reaction to His Historic Acceptance Win
Tramell Tillman’s outie is grateful for his mom.
As the Severance actor won gold at the 2025 Emmy Awards—hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Sept. 14—he began a speech with a quote from his mom, who looked on from the audience with pride.
“‘You remember what you want to remember,’” Tramell quoted from the stage. “‘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.’”
The actor—who made history as the first Black man to win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series—cheekily added, “My first acting coach was tough, y’all. But all great mothers are.”
After the audience’s laughter died down, the camera panned to the 40-year-old’s mom, who held her hand to her chest and watched him tearfully.
“Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up,” Tramell continued. “Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you.”
He concluded, “Thank you to the academy. I am full. I am humbled. I am honored. And as my mama would say, ‘Look at God!’”
And while Tramell—who was nominated alongside his costars Zach Cherry and John Turturro—was sure to give a heartwarming acknowledgement to his mom from stage, he gushed about her on the red carpet, too.
Courtesy of the Television Academy and CBS
“It’s a dream,” he told Live From E!: 2025 Emmys host Zuri Hall of bringing his mom to the award ceremony. “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.”
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
In fact, he explained that it’s an eye-opening experience for her, adding, “She now sees what I do and understands, ‘Oh, when you’re on a press tour, this is what a press tour looks like.”
Read on to see all the stars who took home trophies during the 2025 Emmy Awards.
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Selena Gomez
In custom Louis Vuitton.
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Michelle Williams
In vintage Chanel.
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Julianne Nicholson
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Noah Wyle
In custom FIGS.
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Hunter Schafer
In McQueen.
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Christopher Meloni
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Uzo Aduba
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Keri Russell
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Jessica Williams
In Rodarte.
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Anna Sawai
In Armani Privé.
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Ashley Walters
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James Marsden
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Jude Law
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Ruth Negga
In Prada
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Parker Posey
In custom Valentino.
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Kristen Bell
In Armani Privé.
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Jake Gyllenhaal
In Prada.
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Cristin Milioti
In custom Danielle Frankel.
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Angela Bassett
In Yara Shoemaker, Lagos jewelry, Alexandre Birman shoes, and Judith Leiber bag.
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Leslie Bibb
In Armani Privé.
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Lauren Graham
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Scarlett Johansson
In Prada.
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Colman Domingo
In Valentino and Boucheron jewelry.
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Adam Scott
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Rashida Jones
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Hiroyuki Sanada
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Brian Tyree Henry
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Jesse Williams
In Giorgia Armani and David Yurman jewelry.
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Gina Torres
In Zhivago, Jimmy Choo shoes and Cartier jewelry.
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Garcelle Beauvais
In Valdrin Sahiti.
Watch the 2025 Emmy Awards live Sunday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and on demand on Paramount+. And don’t miss E!’s Live From E! red carpet starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
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