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Emmy Winner Jeffrey Tambor: 'Give Transgender Talent a Chance'

Jeffrey Tambor won an Emmy for lead actor in a comedy for "Transparent," and he ended his speech on Sunday night by asking creatives to give "transgender talent a chance."
Actor Jeffrey Tambor accepts Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Transparent' during the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Actor Jeffrey Tambor accepts Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Transparent' during the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Jeffrey Tambor won lead actor in a comedy for "Transparent," thanking showrunner Jill Soloway and the creative team at Amazon during his speech.

"You changed my life, you changed my career and you changed everything," Tambor said to Soloway.

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As the reigning champ in the category, Tambor was the frontrunner from the start of Emmy season. The veteran actor has received a tidal wave of kudos for his portrayal of the transgender Maura Pfefferman.

Image:
Jeffrey Tambor in “Transparent"Amazon

Tambor won his first Emmy last year for "Transparent." He'd previously racked up six nominations, three for HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" and two for Fox's "Arrested Development."

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He ended his speech on Sunday night by asking creatives to give "transgender talent a chance." "Give them auditions. Give them their story. Do that.

"I would not be unhappy if I were the last cisgender male to play a female transgender on television, we have work to do," he added.

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