He bested a crowded field: Jason Bateman for "Ozark," Brian Cox as the patriarch and Jeremy Strong as his son in "Succession," Bob Odenkirk for "Better Call Saul," and Adam Scott for "Severance."

Meanwhile, Zendaya won the Emmy for best actress in a drama for her portrayal of Rue on "Euphoria," HBO's searing look at high school life.

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It was the second Emmy for Zendaya, who bested Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh ("Killing Eve"), Laura Linney ("Ozark"), Melanie Lynskey ("Yellowjackets"), and Reese Witherspoon ("The Morning Show").

Host Kenan Thompson opened the proceedings with a dance number set to a medley of hit TV show themes, including "Friends" and "Game of Thrones," before bringing on talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, who lauded "the most successful broadcast medium in the world: television."

There were few surprises in the first half of the show, with trophies spread around among popular dramas "Succession" and "Ozark," limited series "The White Lotus," and comedy hit "Ted Lasso," among others.

Hitmaker Lizzo, who made a serious fashion statement in a billowing red tulle dress, said her victory for "Watch Out For The Big Grrrls" in the competition program category was a win for diversity.

"When I was a little girl, all I wanted to see was me in the media," she said, the emotion clear on her face.

"Someone fat like me. Black like me. Beautiful like me. 

"If I could go back and tell a little Lizzo something, I'd be like, 'You're gonna see that person, but bitch, it's going to have to be you.'"

"The White Lotus," a satire on wealth and hypocrisy set in a luxury Hawaiian resort, scooped up two acting prizes as well as directing and writing honors, for a total of nine overall.

Emmy behemoth "Succession" had one in the early running, with Matthew Macfadyen recognized for best supporting actor.

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