Jeff Hiller Wins Emmy, Surprised by Victory Over Harrison Ford

NEW YORK, NY — When Jeff Hiller, known for his role in “Somebody Somewhere,” won the Emmy for Supporting Actor earlier this month, he was taken by surprise. Hiller, 49, defeated Hollywood legend Harrison Ford, a feat he found hard to believe.

“If Harrison Ford is nominated, he’s going to get it,” Hiller told radio host Howard Stern during his debut on the show. He expressed his disbelief with a laugh, emphasizing the unlikely nature of his win after 25 years in the industry.

On the heels of his win and the release of his autobiography, “Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success,” Hiller spoke about adjusting to his newfound fame. “I feel like I’m going to cry because for the past 25 years I’ve been like, ‘World, I want to be an actor’—and the world’s like, ‘Maybe computers?’” he shared during the viral interview.

After three successful seasons of “Somebody Somewhere,” Hiller is gaining recognition. He noted that accepting the Emmy in front of 7.4 million viewers is a milestone in his career. When asked by Stern if his life has changed since winning, Hiller humorously remarked, “I’ve gotten a lot of offers to like ‘host a gala’ but no, like, work.”

Despite the Emmy’s significance, Hiller joked about its physical challenges in his apartment. “This sounds like a joke, but it really does make my apartment feel smaller,” he said, mentioning the trophy’s size and where it currently resides next to his TV.

During the interview, Hiller and Stern discussed the cancellation of “Somebody Somewhere,” with Stern expressing disappointment over HBO’s decision not to renew the show. Hiller reflected on his passion for the series, saying he would have worked on it for many more years.

“I am sort of excited because a lot of people — because I won the Emmy — are like, ‘Oh, I started watching because you won that gold statue,’ and I’m happy people are watching it,” he added.

The conversation also delved into Hiller’s past, including his brief career as a social worker. “I had been a social worker before I was an actor, and I was so, so — I mean like truly — terrible,” Hiller recalled. He explained that his compassion got in the way of his professional effectiveness.

See Jeff Hiller in “Lost & Found in Cleveland,” hitting theaters on Nov. 7. His autobiography is available now.