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Gold Derby is marking its 25th year with a series titled “25 in ’25,” which explores highlights from the 2000s, encompassing the best, the worst, and the most unusual moments.
The emotional farewell of Pedro Pascal’s Joel in the popular series The Last of Us has left many viewers reflecting on impactful departures in television narratives. As fans continue to process this significant moment, discussions arise about the potential for Pascal to receive an Emmy Award. Historical trends suggest that numerous actors have garnered recognition for their performances in pivotal death scenes, with many securing nominations or wins. The Gold Derby community has curiously tracked 25 actors over the past two decades whose portrayals after their characters’ deaths received Emmy nods.
Notably, some of the actors listed below opted to submit the episode featuring their character’s death for Emmy consideration (for example, The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge chose “Arrivederci”), while others selected a different episode from their respective seasons (like Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston who submitted “Ozymandias” instead of “Felina”). Caution: this list contains significant spoilers for various acclaimed television series from the 21st century. Proceed with caution!
1. Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad Season 5, Part 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Actor in 2014
Character: Walter White
Manner of death: Dies from a gunshot wound while tethered to his meth-producing equipment.
2. Jennifer Coolidge for The White Lotus Season 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2023
Character: Tanya McQuoid-Hunt
Manner of death: Drowns following an accident while escaping a yacht filled with dangerous individuals.
3. Anna Sawai for Shōgun Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Actress in 2024
Character: Toda Mariko
Manner of death: Sacrifices herself to redirect explosives for a noble cause.
4. Elizabeth Debicki for The Crown Season 6
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2024
Character: Princess Diana
Manner of death: Fatal car crash while evading paparazzi.
5. Julia Garner for Ozark Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2022
Character: Ruth Langmore
Manner of death: Shot in the chest outside her trailer.
6. John Lithgow for Dexter Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Guest Actor in 2010
Character: Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer
Manner of death: Killed by Dexter in a classic stabbing.
7. Drea de Matteo for The Sopranos Season 5
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2004
Character: Adriana La Cerva
Manner of death: Shot by Silvio while attempting to flee.
8. Margo Martindale for Justified Season 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2011
Character: Mags Bennett
Manner of death: Deliberately consumes poisoned moonshine after losing her sons.
9. Željko Ivanek for Damages Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actor in 2008
Character: Ray Fiske
Manner of death: Commits suicide in front of Patty.
10. Murray Bartlett for The White Lotus Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2022
Character: Armond
Manner of death: Stabbed by Shane in his hotel room.
11. Alexander Skarsgård for Big Little Lies Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2017
Character: Perry Wright
Manner of death: Pushed off a railing by the Monterey Five.
12. Lee Yoo-mi for Squid Game Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Guest Actress in 2022
Character: Ji-Yeong
Manner of death: Shot by a guard after losing a game.
13. Joe Pantoliano for The Sopranos Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actor in 2003
Character: Ralph Cifaretto
Manner of death: Beaten and strangled by Tony.
14. Lamorne Morris for Fargo Season 5
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2024
Character: Whitley “Witt” Farr
Manner of death: Stabbed by Sheriff Roy.
15. Jessica Lange for American Horror Story: Coven Season 3
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Actress in 2014
Character: Fiona Goode
Manner of death: Dies in her daughter Cordelia’s presence after succumbing to cancer.
16. Matthew Fox for Lost Season 6
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Bryan Cranston in 2010
Character: Jack Shephard
Manner of death: Sacrifices himself to protect the island, later reconnects with friends in the afterlife.
17. Brian Cox for Succession Season 4
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Kieran Culkin in 2023
Character: Logan Roy
Manner of death: Quietly collapses on a private jet.
18. Giancarlo Esposito for Breaking Bad Season 4
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul in 2012
Character: Gus Fring
Manner of death: Blown up by a bomb hidden in Hector’s wheelchair.
19. Emilia Clarke for Game of Thrones Season 8
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actress to Jodie Comer in 2019
Character: Daenerys Targaryen
Manner of death: Stabbed by Jon Snow in a deeply emotional scene.
20. Peter Krause for Six Feet Under Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Kiefer Sutherland in 2006
Character: Nate Fisher
Manner of death: Suffers a brain hemorrhage in a hospital.
21. Ben Mendelsohn for Bloodline Season 1
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Peter Dinklage in 2015
Character: Danny Rayburn
Manner of death: Drowns in the ocean at his brother John’s hands.
22. Josh Charles for The Good Wife Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul in 2014
Character: Will Gardner
Manner of death: Shot by a client during a courtroom trial.
23. Diana Rigg for Game of Thrones Season 7
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Guest Actress to Samira Wiley in 2018
Character: Lady Olenna Tyrell
Manner of death: Drinks poisoned wine while revealing her role in King Joffrey’s death.
24. Jared Harris for Mad Men Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul in 2012
Character: Lane Pryce
Manner of death: Chooses suicide by hanging after being caught for embezzlement.
25. Anthony Hopkins for Westworld Season 1
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Sterling K. Brown in 2017
Character: Dr. Robert Ford
Manner of death: Shot in the head by Dolores during a pivotal moment.
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