Emmy Race: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The Emmy Award nominations are still a few weeks away, but this year looks to be quite competitive in all the major categories. This year, there will be six, rather than five, nominees in the regular acting categories and series categories, but not in the guest categories. At this point, I’d like to offer a rundown of the potential nominees. I’ve profiled, in alphabetical order, the top ten contenders who, right now, have the best shot at a nomination.


Last year’s nominees:
Oliver Platt (Nip/Tuck), Stanley Tucci (ER) and Robin Williams (Law & Order: SVU) did not make appearances on those shows this year. The other three, however, did and are eligible: last year’s winner Glynn Turman (In Treatment), Charles Durning (Rescue Me), and Robert Morse (Mad Men).

The contenders:
ERNEST BORGNINE as PAUL MANNING, ER
Borgnine is a screen legend who is currently 92 years old. He won an Oscar back in 1955 but lost both of his Emmy nominations, which came in 1963 and 1980, respectively. “ER” guest stars always have a leg up since the show has at least one performer nominated in one of the guest categories every single year, and Borgnine’s continued ability and performance should land him a nomination, if for nothing else but career achievement and persistence.

ALAN DALE as CHARLES WIDMORE, LOST
The near-omnipotent Widmore came more into focus on this season of “Lost” and even appeared in different time periods, albeit portrayed by other actors. Dale did a great job of matching the ambiguous morals of Michael Emerson’s Ben Linus, and fans of the show would certainly love to see him rewarded. Dale hasn’t had much luck with Emmy voters in the past, with prominent recurring roles on “Ugly Betty” and “24,” but this year certainly represents his best shot yet.

TED DANSON as ARTHUR FROBISHER, DAMAGES
Danson was nominated in the supporting category for his comeback performance as a wealthy executive on trial for ripping off his stockholders, but was trounced by the guy who played his lawyer, Zeljko Ivanek. In the show’s second season, Danson’s role was downgraded, but he continued to show that he was exploring the ethical consequences of his action. Danson is a 13-time Emmy nominee; he’s a good bet for this year’s field.

CHARLES DURNING as JOHN GAVIN, RESCUE ME (1 nomination)
Durning was nominated last year for the first time for his role as Tommy Gavin’s aging father. He returned to the show this year as one of Tommy’s ghosts for a extremely powerful episode that could net him another nomination. His history is good – last year’s nod was his third in this category. The returning popularity of “Rescue Me” may do him some favors, if he can stand up against other competitors. One-time recognition may also have done it for him, and his time may be past.

PATRICK FISCHLER as JIMMY BARRETT, MAD MEN
Fischler has popped up on “Southland,” “Burn Notice,” and “Lost” this season, making himself recognizable to television viewers. His role on “Mad Men,” however, remains his strongest. As Jimmy Barrett, a sleazy commercial star whose sexual motivations intertwine a bit too closely with Don Draper’s, Fischler fits perfectly into his time period and makes Jimmy stand out among an incredibly fascinating cast of characters and actors. If the show does even better than it did last year, Fischler should get swept away, deservedly, with all the hype.

MICHAEL J. FOX as DWIGHT, RESCUE ME
The long-absent Fox made a triumphant return to television this year as the wheelchair-bound wackjob boyfriend of Tommy’s ex-wife. Fox has four Emmy wins and ten nominations in his pocket, including a recent nomination in this category for “Boston Legal.” Fox is playing extremely against type on “Rescue Me,” and the show broke into this category with actor Charles Durning last year, so his chances are pretty good. He did, of course, get snubbed a few years ago for guesting on “Scrubs,” but he should fare better now.

ROBERT MORSE as BERTRAM COOPER, MAD MEN (1 nomination)
Morse scored a nomination last year for his role as the less-seen partner in the advertising firm on “Mad Men.” This year, he’s appeared in a few more episodes and scenes, including one particularly memorable moment where he discusses a fabled painting in his office. Morse isn’t exactly dynamic, and there’s plenty of fresh blood in this category this time, including fellow “Mad Men” guest star Fischler. Morse will likely garner a healthy chunk of votes; it just depends on how well others fare.

JIMMY SMITS as MIGUEL PRADO, DEXTER
Smits joined the cast of Showtime’s serial killer dramedy for its third season a district attorney with shadowy motivations who quickly befriended Dexter. Smits has 11 Emmy nominations to his name for his past work on “NYPD Blue” and “L.A. Law,” and he’s a beloved actor in the television community. Despite that, he didn’t earn any Emmy recognition for his time on “The West Wing” and last year’s recurring “Dexter” player who appeared in every episode, Keith Carradine, didn’t make the cut then. Smits will probably come close, but just miss the mark.

GLYNN TURMAN as ALEX SR, IN TREATMENT (1 nomination/1 win)
Turman took home a trophy last year for his portrayal of Blair Underwood’s father in one of the final episodes of season one of HBO’s therapist drama. He returned to the show in a guest-starring capacity for the second season, and is likely to receive another nomination. The show has only become more popular, and should receive an enthusiastic Emmy welcome this year, and Turman will likely be a part of that for his awe-inspiring, fearsomely intense performance.

JON VOIGHT as JONAS HODGES, 24
Veteran actor Voight joined the cast of FOX’s real-time thriller this season as a villainous businessman. The show, off the air for almost two years, returned to mostly critical applause, and Voight may ride that support to a nomination. Only one “24” guest star, Jean Smart, has ever been nominated for an Emmy, and the show missed out on a drama series nomination for the first time for its most recent season. Voight has two Emmy nominations for miniseries and TV movie work, and if “24” is embraced again by voters, he could earn a third this year.

Other contenders to watch out for: Ed Asner (CSI: NY), Charles S. Dutton (CSI: NY), Eric Stoltz (Grey’s Anatomy), Zeljko Ivanek (Heroes), Colin Hanks (Mad Men), Mark Moses (Mad Men), Joel Murray (Mad Men), Ralph Waite (NCIS), Stephen Root (True Blood)

The roundup:
This is a mad dash towards the finish line, with infinite contenders, including countless “Law & Order” brand guest stars, “Battlestar Galactica” hopefuls (Richard Hatch and Dean Stockwell) and “ER” returning cast members (George Clooney, Eriq LaSalle, and Noah Wyle). I’m taking a shot with the most likely five, but this could go to anyone. More than five nominees here should be expected.

Current predictions:
ERNEST BORGNINE, ER
TED DANSON, DAMAGES
PATRICK FISCHLER, MAD MEN
MICHAEL J. FOX, RESCUE ME
GLYNN TURMAN, IN TREATMENT

Who could win? Michael J. Fox

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series