Couples who've been nominated for Emmys

By Wonderwall.com Editors 11:53am PDT, Sep 19, 2021

Talk about talented pairs! For most actors and actresses, being nominated (and hopefully winning) an Emmy Award is a dream come true. With some famous duos, that star power is multiplied when both performers have earned nominations, starting with this duo… While they're a power couple together, Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson are exceptional actresses in their own right — and they've got the Emmy nods to prove it. Holland has earned nine nominations over the course of her career, the most recent for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie for her work on Netflix's "Hollywood" in 2020. (She took home the honor for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her performance on "The Practice" back in 1999.) Sarah, on the other hand, has earned seven total Emmy nods and took home the 2016 prize for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie for her work on "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."

Keep reading to find out who's on the list…

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Sarah Jessica Parker had a five-year run of best lead actress in a comedy series Emmy nominations between 1999 and 2004 for her work as Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City." She won the prestigious award in 2004. Sarah's other half, Matthew Broderick, can brag a little too: In 1994, he was nominated for best supporting actor in a miniseries or special for his work on the long-running PBS show appropriately named "Great Performances."

Celebrity spouses Danny Moder and Julia Roberts teamed up back in 2014 for "The Normal Heart" and were both honored with Emmy nominations — Julia for best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for her portrayal of Dr. Emma Brookner, and Danny for best cinematography. This wasn't Julia's first Emmy nod though: In 1999, she was up for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her work on "Law & Order."

You didn't think you would see them on this list, did you? But actor and New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg has two Emmy nominations to his name, which he scored in 2014 and 2015, both for his work as an executive producer on "Wahlburgers," his family's reality show about their hamburger restaurant business. In 2005, wife Jenny McCarthy was up for a Daytime Emmy in a shared nomination for her work hosting "The Brady Bunch 35th Anniversary Reunion Special: Still Brady After All These Years." To celebrate the 2021 Primetime Emmys — which air on Sept. 19 — Wonderwall.com is checking out which other past and present couples can claim Emmy nods for both partners.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys got nods for best lead actress in a drama series and best lead actor in a drama series, respectively, in 2016, 2017 and again in 2018! (The Welsh actor, who won in his category in 2018, was nominated for best lead actor in a drama series again in 2021 for his work on "Perry Mason.")

Now here's a TV power couple! From 2015 to 2017, husband and wife William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman were both up for Emmys each year! Bill got a nod for best lead actor in a comedy series for his work as Frank Gallagher, the drunken but lovable deadbeat dad on "Shameless." Felicity's nods were for best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for her performance as Barb Hanlon on "American Crime." She was also twice nominated for her performance on "Desperate Housewives" and won in 2005. Bill has 15 Emmy nods in total and won twice in 2003 for his work writing and acting in the TV movie "Door to Door."

Former celebrity power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are primarily known for their big screen blockbusters, but they've both earned the respect of the Television Academy over the years as well. Brad was up for a shared Emmy in 2015 for the HBO film "Nightingale," which he executive produced. That was his third Emmy nom. In 2020, he earned his fourth Emmy nom, for best guest actor in a comedy series for his work on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." Angelina was nominated for two Emmys in 1998: best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for her performance in "Gia," and best supporting actress for her work in the TV movie "George Wallace."

Before Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston enjoyed a reign as an Emmy power couple. While married, they even nabbed nominations for working on the same show — Jennifer's hit sitcom, "Friends." In 2002, Jen was named outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance as Rachel Green on the show, while Brad was nominated for his guest spot on the sitcom (he played Will on the episode titled "The One with the Rumor"). In 2020, Jen received her seventh Emmy nod, for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work on "The Morning Show." A year later in 2021, she picked up a nod with her "Friends" co-stars for outstanding pre-recorded variety special for "Friends: The Reunion."

What would an Emmy list be without Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who's won for everything from "Seinfeld" to "Veep"? Julia made history for having the most Primetime Emmy Award wins as an actress in the same role. She's snagged 11 awards total, for both acting and producing. Her writer-producer husband, fellow "Saturday Night Live" alum Brad Hall, has an Emmy nod to his name too: He was nominated in 1992 for his writing on "Brooklyn Bridge."

Exes Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are no strangers to the Emmy Awards. Both actors received nominations in 2002, 2004 and 2005 — Ben for outstanding reality program for his show "Project Greenlight," and Jen for best lead actress in a drama (multiple times) for her work as Sydney Bristow on "Alias."

Lily Tomlin has six Emmys to her name, while her longtime partner Jane Wagner is no slouch in the Emmy department either! The couple both won in 1974 for best writing for "Lily," and then took home statues in 1976 for outstanding writing for "The Lily Tomlin Special." They then picked up a few more in 1981 when "Lily: Sold Out" won for best variety, music or comedy program, and they both took home trophies for producing the special too. Nowadays, Lily is continuing to pick up nominations for her hit Netflix show, "Grace and Frankie."

Amy Poehler and Will Arnett were once a formidable Emmy power couple before their 2012 split. Amy's garnered 18 nominations over the years for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and "Parks and Recreation," while Will picked up five nominations from 2006 until 2012 for his work on "Arrested Development" and "30 Rock." In 2016, Amy won the Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her performance on "Saturday Night Live."

Former Hollywood couple Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman both picked up nods in 1983. Danny, who played Louie De Palma on "Taxi," nabbed a nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy. It would be one of four total nominations Danny would receive throughout his career. Rhea was nominated that year for best supporting actress for her work as Carla Tortelli on "Cheers."

This couple has enjoyed a new kind of notoriety because of Lisa Rinna's role on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." But both she and husband Harry Hamlin have paid their dues on the small screen in more award-worthy fare, and the Television Academy noticed. In 2013, Harry got a nomination for outstanding guest actor for his performance as Jim Cutler on "Mad Men." Lisa used the knowledge she'd gleaned as a longtime soap-opera actress to host "Soap Talk," a gig that earned her four Daytime Emmy nods in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Tina Fey rules TV. She has been nominated for more than 30 Emmys, including for her acting on "30 Rock," the show she created. She's also got a cache of nominations (and wins) for her acting and writing work on "Saturday Night Live." Her husband, Jeff Richmond, knows all about Emmys as well: As a producer and composer, Jeff has taken home three Emmys for his work on "30 Rock." Come on guys, save some Emmys for everyone else!

Blythe Danner's career is a model of success. She's been nominated for six Emmys throughout her life, snagging awards in 2005 and 2006 for best supporting actress in a drama for her work as Izzy Huffstodt on "Huff." Not too shabby. Her late husband, Bruce Paltrow, was an Emmys mainstay in the 1980s. He was nominated for nine awards for producing and writing "St. Elsewhere," the acclaimed hospital-based drama. And it seems Emmys run in the family: In 2011, their daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, took home the prize for best guest actress in a comedy series for her work on "Glee."

There's only one degree of Kevin Bacon when it comes to the Emmys: In 2009, the actor earned a nomination for best lead actor in a miniseries or movie for his work in "Taking Chance," a TV film about a military escort returning the body of fallen soldier. His wife, Kyra Sedgwick, is a little more accustomed to the way the Emmys work. From 2006 to 2010, she was nominated for best lead actress in a drama for her work on "The Closer." She won the award in 2010.

"The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" was pretty much a hit from the get-go. The then-married husband-and-wife team was nominated for four awards from 1972 to 1974. Cher was later nominated for a handful of other Emmys, all pertaining to her music career. She even won one in 2003 for best variety, music or comedy special for "Cher: The Farewell Tour."

Hal Holbrook is an Emmy god. The actor and all-around good guy has been nominated a dozen times for various roles during his celebrated career. He has five Emmy Awards resting comfortably in his home with his name on them. His late wife, Dixie Carter, is also an Emmy nominee: In 2007 — three years before her death — Dixie was nominated for outstanding guest actress in a comedy for her work on "Desperate Housewives." In 1990, she was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

Claire Danes has a heck of a batting average at the Emmys. The actress been nominated for seven Primetime Emmys. She's taken home three trophies thus far. Her husband, Hugh Dancy, can call himself an Emmy nominated actor too. In 2006, he was nominated for best supporting actor in a miniseries or movie for his work in "Elizabeth I."

The couple that stars together gets nominated together! Michael Tucker and wife Jill Eikenberry were both up for Emmys in 1987, 1988 and 1989 for their work on "L.A. Law." She even went on to snag a few other nominations in later years, all for playing Ann Kelsey. Neither of them ever left the ceremony with the trophy, but, as the saying goes, it's an honor just to be nominated.

Talk about longevity! Mel Brooks was first nominated for an Emmy in 1956. He was also nominated in 2015 for best guest actor in a comedy for his work on "The Comedians." Along the way, he's taken home four awards. Mel's late wife, Anne Bancroft, added to the trophy case at home too. Anne won at the Emmys on her first go-round in 1970. She won again in 1999 for her work on "Deep In My Heart." In all, she had six Emmy noms to her name.

Before his death, Paul Newman was the proud owner of an Emmy after winning the award for best supporting actor in a miniseries or movie in 2005 for his performance on "Empire Falls." The win was his first and only Emmy success after three other tries. His second wife, Joanne Woodward, knew her way around the awards circuit. From 1977 to 2005, she was nominated for nine Emmys and took home three of them. It's safe to say this was one well-decorated household.