Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesNow that's what we call an impassioned acceptance speech!
After watching his co-stars Sterling K. Brown and Sarah Paulson take home Emmy gold at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Courtney B. Vance got the chance to make a speech of his own when he was awarded Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work as Johnnie Cochran in FX's stunning The People v. O.J. Simpson. And boy, he did not disappoint.
With an infectious energy that you could nearly feel through the TV screen, he rattled off the names of the producers and touchingly mentioned his ALS-stricken mother before getting to the big moment: His dedication to his wife, American Horror Story star Angela Bassett.
"And last but not least, to the woman that rocks my chain," he charmingly shouted as cameras cut to his wife, overjoyed. "Angela Bassett, this one is for you girl."
Before he took his leave after coming out on top over fellow nominees Bryan Cranston, Idris Elba, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, and Cuba Gooding Jr., he also couldn't help but get a little political. "Obama out," he yelled. "Hillary in!"
Courtney wasn't the only People v. O.J. Simpson cast member to make a memorable speech. While accepting her win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Sarah spoke directly to her date for the evening, the real world Marcia Clark, apologizing to her on behalf of the entire world. "And the more I learned about the real Marcia Clark, not the two-dimensional cardboard cutout I saw on the news but the complicated, whip-smart, giant-hearted mother of two who woke up every day, put both feet on the floor and dedicated herself to righting an unconscionable wrong, the loss of two innocents—Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown—the more I had to recognize that I, along with the rest of the world, had been superficial and careless in my judgment," she said. "I'm glad to be able to stand here today in front of everyone and tell you I'm sorry."