Keri Russell and Steve Carell still haven't won an Emmy
Keri Russell and Steve Carell headline a surprising roster of acclaimed TV stars who have never won an Emmy despite repeated nominations. Russell just earned her eighth career nod for The Diplomat, while Carell landed his 12th for Rooster. Both could finally break their streak at the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026.
As Hollywood gears up for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay and airing live September 14 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock, attention is turning to veteran performers still waiting for their first statue. For more on awards-season surprises, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Keri Russell has eight Emmy nominations but no wins, including five for acting in and producing The Diplomat and three for The Americans.
- Steve Carell has 12 nominations across The Office, The Morning Show, and Rooster, yet has never taken home a trophy.
- Other 2026 nominees still seeking a first win include Jason Segel, Janelle James, and Carrie Coon.
- Separate from the no-win club, icons like Courteney Cox and Ellen Pompeo have never even received an acting nomination.
- Winners will be announced at the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026.
Why hasn't Keri Russell won an Emmy yet?
Russell has earned steady recognition for The Americans and Netflix's The Diplomat. According to E! Online, she earned her fifth nomination for The Diplomat in 2026 and her eighth overall when counting her three nods for The Americans.
Despite the recognition, Russell has told Us Weekly she is quietly relieved when another name is called. She said in 2017 that she is always secretly thankful she does not have to speak publicly at the podium. Her longtime partner Matthew Rhys, meanwhile, is looking to add another Emmy to his shelf with his three nominations this year.
How many Emmy nominations does Steve Carell have?
Carell received 10 Emmy nominations for The Office, where he played Michael Scott and served as a producer, plus one nod for portraying Mitch Kessler on The Morning Show. His 12th nomination came for playing Greg Russo on Rooster.
E! Online notes that awards have never been the reason the comedy star is in the business. After 11 prior nominations, Carell returned to the ballot in 2026 still hoping Rooster might finally seal the deal.
Which other 2026 nominees are still waiting for a first Emmy?
E! Online highlights several fellow nominees who share Carell and Russell's drought. Jason Segel has six nominations for Shrinking, Janelle James has five for Abbott Elementary, and Carrie Coon has four for The Gilded Age. All are keeping their fingers crossed that 2026 is finally the year they receive the coveted statue.
However, the winners will not be announced until the September 14 ceremony in Los Angeles. Until then, these performers remain among the most talked-about overdue contenders on the ballot.
Who are the biggest TV stars never nominated for an acting Emmy?
Business Insider notes a separate frustration: actors who have never received a nomination at all. Ellen Pompeo has been the heart and soul of Grey's Anatomy for soon-to-be 23 seasons but has never been nominated for an Emmy.
Courteney Cox remains the only core Friends cast member never nominated individually for acting, though she shared a 2021 variety-special nomination for the Friends reunion. Other snubs cited by Business Insider include Katey Sagal across Married... with Children and Sons of Anarchy, Wendell Pierce for The Wire, Peter Gallagher for The O.C., and Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, and Glenn Howerton across 17 seasons of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Will Smith was nominated as a Cobra Kai producer in 2021 but never for acting on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Together, the nominated-without-winning and never-nominated lists show how Emmy history does not always mirror audience devotion. Russell, Carell, and their peers will find out whether 2026 rewrites that story when the envelopes are opened in Los Angeles.