Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in a single night. He was honored at the prestigious US ceremony for his performances in the supernatural comedy Widow's Bay and the psychological thriller The Beast In Me. On stage, Rhys dedicated his second award "to the great and good people of Wales, who were as much a nurture as anyone else." He emphasized Wales' small but influential presence on the global stage, adding "Diolch yn fawr iawn" – which means "thank you very much" in Welsh. Rhys won best lead actor in a limited series for The Beast In Me and best lead actor in a comedy for Widow's Bay, making him the first to achieve a double win in the same year. A few actors had previously been nominated for two lead acting prizes in the same year, but Rhys is the first to win both. Rhys expressed his surprise at the award, saying it was a "real shock," and thanked his co-star Claire Danes for allowing him to join the cast of The Beast In Me. He also thanked his family and colleagues for supporting his career, including his parents who "kicked me on to the stage at a very early age." His co-star Kate O'Flynn, who plays Patricia in Widow's Bay, was also recognized, winning best supporting comedy actress. She thanked the cast and crew of the show, calling it "the role of a lifetime." Other notable winners included Jean Smart, who won her fifth Emmy for her role in Hacks, bringing her total to eight. She joined Allison Janney of The Diplomat, who also won her eighth Emmy, matching the record previously held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Janney, a surprise winner, said she was "genuinely shocked" to beat out four stars from The Pitt, another drama series. Rhea Seehorn won her first Emmy for best lead actress in a drama series for Pluribus, a show about a woman dealing with a mysterious mind virus affecting the world. The evening also featured tributes to notable figures in entertainment. Sally Field honored Dolly Parton, who passed away last month, describing her as "genuine, humble, supportive, and blisteringly funny." Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his advocacy work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which supports research for Parkinson's disease. He spoke about his journey with the illness, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and advocacy. The evening also included tributes to Catherine O'Hara, a beloved actress and co-star of Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, and to Rob Reiner, who received a posthumous Emmy for his work on The Bear.