The 75th Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced July 12 and Carnegie Mellon University alumni made an impressive showing across 11 categories, racking up a total of 22 nominations.

Alumnus Noah Mitz(opens in new window) received four nominations for his work in lighting design and lighting direction. Other CMU nominees include production designers Alana Billingsley and Jessica Kender; art directors Brian Grego, Kristen Merlino and John Zuiker; and actors Anthony Carrigan, James Cromwell, Cherry Jones and Judith Light. “The Last of Us,” created by CMU alumnus Neil Druckmann(opens in new window), received a whopping 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.

The announcement came at a tense time for the film and television industry amid the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and the newly announced SAG-AFTRA strike. This marks the first time since 1960 that writers and actors are on strike together, effectively shutting down Hollywood.

Earlier this year, the 50th Daytime Emmy nominations were announced with three CMU alumni nominated for a total of four awards. The Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony, originally scheduled for June 16, 2023, has been postponed due to the strike.

The Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is currently scheduled to take place Sept. 18, 2023, with the Creative Arts ceremonies set for Sept. 9-10; however, they will likely be impacted by the strike and may be delayed pending a resolution.


CMU Alumni Nominated for 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards:
Loren Barton (BFA, Drama, 2008) — nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as lighting director on “The Weeknd Live at Sofi Stadium.”

Michael Berger (BFA, Drama, 2012) — nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series as lighting director on “Dancing with the Stars – Semi Finals.”

Alana Billingsley (BFA, Drama, 2004) — nominated for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special as production designer on “The Oscars.”

Nanrose Buchman (BFA, Drama, 1976) — nominated for Outstanding Period Costumes for a Series as costume supervisor on “Perry Mason.”

Anthony Carrigan (BFA, Drama, 2006) — nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series as Noho Hank on “Barry.”

James Cromwell (Drama alumnus, 1964) — nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series as Ewan Roy on “Succession.”

Robert Dickinson (Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, 2005) — nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as lighting designer on “The 75th Annual Tony Awards.”

Neil Druckmann (Master of Entertainment Technology, 2005) — nominated for Outstanding Drama Series as executive producer on “The Last of Us.”

Will Gossett (BFA, Drama, 2015) — nominated for two Emmys, including: Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series as lighting director on “America’s Got Talent – Episode 1717” and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as lighting director on “The 65th Annual Grammy Awards.”

Brian Grego (BFA, Drama, 2010) — nominated for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) as art director on “Daisy Jones & The Six.”

Cherry Jones (BFA, Drama, 1978) — nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series as Nan Pierce on “Succession.”

Jessica Kender (BHA, 1997) — nominated for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) as production designer on “Daisy Jones & The Six.”

Judith Light (BFA, Drama, 1970; Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, 2023) — nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series as Irene Smothers on “Poker Face.”

Kristen Merlino (BFA, Drama, 2005) — nominated for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special as art director on “The 65th Annual Grammy Awards.”

Noah Mitz (BFA, Drama, 2005) — nominated for four Emmys, including: Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series as Lighting Designer on “America’s Got Talent – Episode 1717” and “Dancing with the Stars – Semi Finals”; Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as lighting designer on “The 65th Annual Grammy Awards” and as lighting director on “The 75th Annual Tony Awards.”

Ryan Tanker (BFA, Drama, 2015) — nominated for two Emmys, including: Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series as lighting director on “America’s Got Talent – Episode 1717” and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as lighting director on “The 65th Annual Grammy Awards.”

John Zuiker (MFA, Scenic Design, 2011) — nominated for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special as art director on “The Oscars.”

CMU Alumni Nominated for 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards:
David Eckert (BFA, Drama, 1990) — nominated for Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design as production designer on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Noel Maxam (BFA, Drama, 1990) — nominated for two Emmys for Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series as director on “Beyond Salem: Chapter Two” and “Days of Our Lives.”

Anabel Shuckhart (BFA, Drama, 2021) — nominated for Costume Design/Styling as wardrobe supervisor on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”