Pedro Pascal could join these 25 performers in the last 25 years who received Emmy attention after being killed off
Gold Derby is celebrating its 25th anniversary with our series of "25 in '25" highlighting the best, worst, and weirdest of the 2000s.
Viewers of The Last of Us are still wiping away their tears after witnessing a the death of Pedro Pascal's Joel during the April 20 episode. Might all of the extra buzz from that emotional moment help Pascal win an Emmy Award? It's certainly possible. Many performers have won statuettes for their impactful swan songs, and more still have been nominated. With the help of Gold Derby's forum posters, we have compiled a list of 25 performers since 2000 who received Emmy attention after being killed off.
Note that some of the contenders below submitted their death episode for Emmy consideration (such as The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge picking "Arrivederci"), while others chose different episodes from the seasons in which they perished (like Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston going with "Ozymandias" instead of "Felina"). Warning: this item contains massive spoilers for some of the best TV shows of the 21st century. Read at your own risk!
1. Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad Season 5, Part 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Actor in 2014
Character: Walter White
Manner of death: Succumbs to his gunshot wound while surrounded by his meth-making tools
2. Jennifer Coolidge for The White Lotus Season 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2023
Character: Tanya McQuoid-Hunt
Manner of death: Drowns after hitting her head escaping a yacht filled with murderous gays
3. Anna Sawai for Shōgun Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Actress in 2024
Character: Toda Mariko
Manner of death: Sacrifices herself for the greater good by letting explosives kill her
4. Elizabeth Debicki for The Crown Season 6
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2024
Character: Princess Diana
Manner of death: Crashes in a car while fleeing paparazzi
5. Julia Garner for Ozark Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2022
Character: Ruth Langmore
Manner of death: Shot by a bullet to the chest outside her trailer
6. John Lithgow for Dexter Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Guest Actor in 2010
Character: Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer
Manner of death: Murdered by Dexter in his trademark stabbing method
7. Drea de Matteo for The Sopranos Season 5
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2004
Character: Adriana La Cerva
Manner of death: Shot by Silvio while trying to flee into the woods
8. Margo Martindale for Justified Season 2
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2011
Character: Mags Bennett
Manner of death: Purposefully drinks poisoned moonshine after her sons are killed
9. Željko Ivanek for Damages Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actor in 2008
Character: Ray Fiske
Manner of death: Shoots himself in the head in front of Patty
10. Murray Bartlett for The White Lotus Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2022
Character: Armond
Manner of death: Stabbed by Shane, who discovers him in his hotel room
11. Alexander Skarsgård for Big Little Lies Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2017
Character: Perry Wright
Manner of death: Pushed over the railing by the Monterey Five
12. Lee Yoo-mi for Squid Game Season 1
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Guest Actress in 2022
Character: Ji-Yeong
Manner of death: Shot by a soldier after losing the marbles game
13. Joe Pantoliano for The Sopranos Season 4
Emmy result: Won Best Drama Supporting Actor in 2003
Character: Ralph Cifaretto
Manner of death: Beaten up and strangled in his home by Tony
14. Lamorne Morris for Fargo Season 5
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor in 2024
Character: Whitley "Witt" Farr
Manner of death: Stabbed in the chest by Sheriff Roy in the dugout
15. Jessica Lange for American Horror Story: Coven Season 3
Emmy result: Won Best Limited/Movie Actress in 2014
Character: Fiona Goode
Manner of death: Succumbs to her cancer and dies in her daughter Cordelia's arms
16. Matthew Fox for Lost Season 6
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) in 2010
Character: Jack Shephard
Manner of death: Sacrifices himself to save the island, then appears in the afterlife with all of his friends
17. Brian Cox for Succession Season 4
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Kieran Culkin (Succession) in 2023
Character: Logan Roy
Manner of death: Collapses quietly while on a private jet
18. Giancarlo Esposito for Breaking Bad Season 4
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) in 2012
Character: Gus Fring
Manner of death: Explodes after a bomb goes off that's hidden within Hector's wheelchair
19. Emilia Clarke for Game of Thrones Season 8
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actress to Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) in 2019
Character: Daenerys Targaryen
Manner of death: Stabbed by Jon Snow in front of the Iron Throne
20. Peter Krause for Six Feet Under Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Kiefer Sutherland (24) in 2006
Character: Nate Fisher
Manner of death: Succumbs to a brain hemorrhage while in the hospital
21. Ben Mendelsohn for Bloodline Season 1
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) in 2015
Character: Danny Rayburn
Manner of death: Drowned in the ocean by his brother John
22. Josh Charles for The Good Wife Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) in 2014
Character: Will Gardner
Manner of death: Shot by his client during trial
23. Diana Rigg for Game of Thrones Season 7
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Guest Actress to Samira Wiley (The Handmaid's Tale) in 2018
Character: Lady Olenna Tyrell
Manner of death: Purposefully drinks poisoned wine while bragging about killing King Joffrey
24. Jared Harris for Mad Men Season 5
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Supporting Actor to Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) in 2012
Character: Lane Pryce
Manner of death: Suicide by hanging after being caught embezzling funds
25. Anthony Hopkins for Westworld Season 1
Emmy result: Lost Best Drama Actor to Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) in 2017
Character: Dr. Robert Ford
Manner of death: Shot in the head by Dolores while giving a speech
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