Tiffany Haddish attends the NYFW Spring/Summer 2019 Brandon Maxwell fashion show at Classic Car Club Manhattan on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiffany Haddish led an African-American sweep of Emmy Awards for TV series guest actors, a landmark moment in the entertainment industry’s effort to foster diversity.
Haddish was honored at Saturday’s creative arts Emmys for hosting “Saturday Night Live,” while Katt Williams won the guest comedy actor award for “Atlanta.”
Ron Cephas Jones of “This Is Us” and Samira Wiley of “The Handmaid’s Tale” accepted guest acting honors in the drama series categories.
Cephas, who plays a father who reconnects with his son (series star Sterling K. Brown) after a difficult life of drug addiction and loss, was asked backstage if his character would have been on TV in the past.
“No. Not in this incarnation. … Not that the audience wasn’t ready for it. But maybe the executives, or people that have a say in the writing, probably wouldn’t have been ready for this kind of thing. But now we are. We’re moving forward and moving ahead.”
In another step forward Saturday, Shauna Duggins became the first woman to win an Emmy for stunt coordination for a comedy or variety series for “GLOW,” about women’s wrestling in the 1980s.
The creative arts Emmys set the table for NBC’s Sept. 17 main ceremony, which could also advance inclusivity on-screen and off. Donald Glover, the star and creator of “Atlanta,” won trophies last year for acting and directing and is a multiple nominee again, with his show a top contender for best comedy.
Tracee Ellis Ross of “black-ish” and Issa Rae of “Insecure” are competing for comedy series acting honors. On the drama side, Brown could repeat as best actor for “This Is Us,” with Jeffrey Wright of “Westworld” among his competitors, while “Killing Eve” star Sandra Oh could become the first actress of Asian descent to win the top award.
Haddish, a hot property since her breakout performance in the movie “Girls Trip,” has been an Oscar presenter and MTV Movie & TV Awards host. She co-stars in the sitcom “The Last O.G.”
She was a no-show at the Emmys, but presenter Tichina Arnold had fun accepting for her.
“Tiffany couldn’t be here tonight. But, guess what, Tiffany! I’ve got your award, girl!” Arnold said, holding up the statuette triumphantly.
“I think you’re going to have to give that back,” presenter Gerald McRaney (“This Is Us”) teased her.
