From RadarOnline:
Actor Michael Emerson says he was thrilled, but somewhat taken aback to be nominated for another Emmy as Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as creepy Ben Linus in ABC’s Lost.
“It is exciting, I was surprised. I thought they may have moved on to newer fresher looks. I am flattered someone is still looking at our show,” Emerson told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive phone interview Thursday morning.
Emerson learned about the Emmy nod when his agent called him Thursday in New York and woke him up.
This is actually the third time Emerson has been nominated for an Emmy for his role in Lost. He hasn’t won for Lost, but in 2001, Emerson did snag an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for playing William Hinks on ABC’s The Practice.
He says he’s also thrilled that the show was nominated for Best Drama Series.
We asked Michael how a good kid from Iowa can play such a creepy character like Ben. Do they have anything in common? Said Emerson: “I supposed over time, the more I play him, the more he is kindred to me. I won’t say I’m like him, but I guess I spent so much time playing him. It’s a little more obvious. He’s a good listener, and has a dry sense of humor. He doesn’t make rash decisions, so we have a number of things in common.”
Emerson has a history of playing dangerous or damaged characters, and he says he usually gets a bizarre reaction when fans recognize him on the street.
“They express shock or fear or intimidation, but also really delighted to run into me. They have mixed emotions, kind of a happy terror. They tend to be very formal with me, and not over familiar.”
Emerson — who lives in Hawaii eight months a year while shooting Lost — calls the eventual end of the series a “bittersweet affair.” He adds: “It will be sad to leave a part that is such a good fit to me, a part that brings such attention. It will be nice to take up residence in North America
and be closer to friends and loved ones.”
At the top of that “loved one” list: Emerson’s actress/wife Carrie Preston, who has appeared on Lost and now stars on HBO’s True Blood.
As for the most common question he gets asked by fans? The answer may not surprise you. Emerson says: “They think I know how its going to end. I don’t know and I am glad I don’t know.”So what’s next for the seasoned actor, who has appeared both on stage and screen? “It would be nice if there was a good play. I honestly don’t know what will happen. I will be looking to have a change of pace.”
11 Responses to “Michael Emerson Reacts to Emmy Nom”
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Michael Emmerson is a great actor, and deserves all the credit he gets. I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to see him rock Ben Linus.
I’m pulling for him in this category. I couldn’t imagine anyone else in Ben Linus’s shoes. Emerson brings a tremendous deviousness with a hint of warmth to the character. In another actor’s shoes, the role might come off as vaudevillian.
I can’t imagine what Lost would be like without Ben, period.
And to think the writers never intended for Emerson to take on such a big role in the beginning. It was because of his amazing work as “Henry Gale” coupled with the audiences’ strong response towards the character that allowed Emerson to become one of the most iconic villains of all time.
And to that I always wondered what direction the show would have went in if it wasn’t for Michael Emerson’s brilliant portrayal of Benjamin Linus, leader of the Others.
GO BEN!!!
Before I started watching, whenever I would hear “Lost,” an image of Michael Emerson as Ben Linus would come to mind. I think that says a lot. Here’s to hoping he wins this time.
He’ll prolly do some high profile stage work for a while, maybe a take a break when the show’s over. Spend some time with wifey.
I really hope he gets the win, he should have got for his work on season 3 as well. so many chilling/creepy/sinister Ben scenes back then. Emersons work has only gotten better as the show has progressed, and I feel comfortable saying hes the best actor on the show.
While I do think Emerson has done a great job throughout his time on the show I really feel his best work was in Season 2 when he was the presumed “Henry Gale”. The look he flashed at Sayid after Sayid had just got done explaining to him how they found the real Henry Gale was priceless. He was just as great in the Season 2 finale when he uttered the now infamous phrase “We’re the good guys Michael”. Brilliant writing, brilliant acting. It’s because of Emerson that Season 2 will always be my favorite. That and the additions of Desmond and Mr. Eko as well.
Ya know, he may be one of the most modest actors out there…always seems like the recognition he receives for his superior acting gives him such a happy surprise. I think I enjoy his acting more, knowing that he appears to be such a decent person in ‘real’ life.