<\/p>\n
\u201cSeverance\u201d star Tramell Tillman made history at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards<\/a>, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville graduate is no stranger to being a trailblazer.<\/p>\n Tillman took home the Emmy for best supporting actor in a drama series on Sept. 14, becoming the first Black actor ever to win that category.<\/p>\n “I am full. I am humbled. I am honored. And as my mama would say, ‘Woo! Look at God,\u2019\u201d he said during his emotional acceptance speech, which he dedicated to his mother.<\/p>\n Backstage, Tillman acknowledged the historic moment and some of the Black actors who helped pave the path.<\/p>\n “I am fortunate to be in the company of such great actors that have gone before me, like Andre Braugher, Ossie Davis, Michael K. Williams, that have done beautiful work, and those that are still with us today, like Giancarlo Esposito and Jeffrey Wright,” he said. “These men, I’ve been taken by their work for years, and I borrow from them. So, I’m just honored to be in the class.”<\/p>\n But before Tillman was making history at the Emmys, he made history at UT. In 2014, he was the first Black man to graduate from UT\u2019s master\u2019s in fine arts acting program, and he did so at the top of his class.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations to UT alumnus Tramell Tillman (’14) for winning his first Emmy!\u201d the University of Tennessee College of Arts & Sciences posted on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations, Tramell!! We are so incredibly proud of all you have accomplished and so excited for you!!\u201d Clarence Brown Theatre posted on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tillman was a Volunteer 40 Under 40 alumni recipient<\/a> in 2024. The honor recognizes young alumni who have excelled personally and professionally since completing their degree at UT.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year I join a class of distinguished alums! Thank you @utknoxville<\/a> and @tennalum<\/a> for the honor. Hope to see you all soon in Knoxville! #govols\ud83c\udf4a<\/a> #utk<\/a> #utktheatre<\/a> #gratitude<\/a>,\u201d Tillman wrote on Instagram<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n In between working with Al Pacino (\u201cHunters\u201d) and Tom Cruise (\u201cMission: Impossible \u2013 The Final Reckoning\u201d) and on Broadway, Tillman has kept close ties with UT.\u00a0He has guest lectured for UT\u2019s diverse plays and playwrights class, led career development seminars for UT Theater and participated in the Class of 2020 Virtual Alma Mater, according to alumni.utk.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Severance\u2019 is a sci-fi thriller TV series<\/a> about\u00a0the employees of a mysterious biotechnology corporation who have undergone a surgical procedure that separates their work memories from their personal lives. Tillman portrays Seth Milchick, the floor manager at the company.<\/p>\n \u2018Severance\u2019 had the most nominations (27) at the 77th Emmy Awards and won eight. The Apple TV series premiered in 2022 and has been renewed for a third season.<\/p>\n Tillman\u2019s upcoming projects include joining the Marvel universe in next year’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and staring in Emmy winner Lena Dunham\u2019s new movie “Good Sex.”<\/p>\n USA TODAY contributed to this article.<\/em><\/p>\n Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email\u00a0devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Support strong local journalism by subscribing at\u00a0<\/em>knoxnews.com\/subscribe<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: ‘Severance’ star and Tennessee graduate Tramell Tillman makes history<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2018Severance\u2019 star got his acting start at University of Tennessee<\/h2>\n
What is \u2018Severance\u2019 about?<\/h2>\n