Lights, camera, Temple! Our biggest alumni stars are enjoying a successful award season thanks to nominations and even awards at this winter’s Emmy, Golden Globe and Oscar celebrations. From hilarious comedy series and holiday films to gripping dramas, groundbreaking news coverage and dazzling live productions, our Owls continue to leave their mark on the entertainment industry. 

Owls brought home hardware at the Golden Globes, which aired on Jan. 7, and the Emmy Awards, which aired on Jan. 15. The Oscar's are quickly approaching on Sunday, Mar. 10. Attend the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts' watch party on campus, or tune in from home to continue cheering on our talented alumni. 

Meet the Owls nominated for awards: 

Quinta Brunson  

As the creator, executive producer and lead actress of the television series Abbott Elementary, former Owl Quinta Brunson is no stranger to accolades. The show, as well as Brunson for her portrayal of second grade teacher Janine Teagues, already boasts Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, People’s Choice Award nominations and Critics Choice Awards, to name a few.  

It’s another busy award season for Brunson, who earned nominations for both Golden Globe and Emmy awards. This year, she added to her trophy case by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Abbott Elementary was also nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Brunson picked up an additional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for a host appearance on Saturday Night Live. 

Abbott Elementary was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Brunson was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. 

The new season of Abbott Elementary premieres Feb. 7 on ABC. The Temple community will also have a chance to catch Brunson in person when she returns to campus in May to accept the 2024 Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award. 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph 

It’s also been a busy award season for Da’Vine Joy Randolph, TFM ’08, whose performance as Mary Lamb, a grieving mother in The Holdovers, has earned her Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Randolph won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. She’s also been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.  

The Holdovers can be streamed on Peacock. Randolph also recently appeared alongside fellow alum Colman Domingo in the 2023 biographical drama Rustin. 

Colman Domingo 

Like Randolph, Colman Domingo was recognized with both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the film Rustin. The film follows the true story of Rustin’s efforts to organize the 1963 March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr.   

Domingo earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. 

These mark Domingo’s first Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, but he’s already earned an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for an appearance on the TV series Euphoria. Rustin is available to stream on Netflix. 

John Foy

John Foy, KLN ’89, is a producer with decades of industry experience. He brought home an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) as Co-Executive Producer, of Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium on Disney+ in association with Rocket Entertainment and Fulwell 73 Productions. He was also nominated in the category of Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for his work as Co-Executive Producer of John Mulaney: Baby J on Netflix.

Foy is an active member of Klein College of Media and Communication's Board of Visitors, and he was inducted into the Klein's Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015 in recognition of his achievements in the television industry.

Dan Trachtenberg 

Dan Trachtenberg’s impact on the entertainment industry comes from behind the camera. The filmmaker directed the 2022 sci-fi film Prey, which marks the fifth installment in the Predator film franchise. He earned two Emmy nominations for his work on the film: Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.  

Trachtenberg, TFM ’03, burst onto the horror scene in 2016 when he directed 10 Cloverfield Lane. He also directed an episode of the anthology TV series Black Mirror titled “Playtest,” and he has been selected to direct an episode in the upcoming final season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Prey is available to stream on Hulu. 

Mekki Leeper 

Former Owl Mekki Leeper earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series thanks to his work on Jury Duty, a “hoax sitcom” that blurs the lines between scripted and reality. The show received an additional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Jury Duty follows a trial in which 11 of the jurors, including Leeper, are actors, and the 12th juror is unaware that the entire trial is a hoax. The show can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. 

Drew Oberholtzer 

Aside from the traditional Primetime Emmy Awards, Owls are being recognized for their entertainment industry excellence through other Emmy awards. The 44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards were held on Sept. 26, 2023.  Drew Oberholtzer, CLA ’99, is the video editor for an ABC News and Documentaries team that received a variety of nominations. 

The team produced the following news segments that were nominated for News and Documentary Emmy Awards: 

“PRIDE: To Be Seen” was nominated for Outstanding Arts, Culture or Entertainment Coverage. 

“Together as One: Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage” was nominated for Outstanding Recorded News Special. 

“X / o n e r a t e d – The Murder of Malcolm X and 55 Years to Justice” was nominated for Outstanding Crime and Justice Coverage. 

“Putin's War: The Battle to Save Ukraine” was nominated for Outstanding Edited Breaking News Coverage. 

Joey Contino 

The 2023 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards were held on Oct. 14, 2023. Alum writer and producer Joey Contino, TFM ’14, was recognized with a nomination for Best Long Form Content – Historical/Cultural for his YouTube video South Jersey's Unknown Ship Grtraveyard. The video covers the 18 abandoned World War I ships that rest off the coast of the Jersey Shore. The video is part of Contino’s Wildwood Video Archive YouTube channel, which features independently produced videos chronicling the history of Wildwood, New Jersey, and the surrounding area. 

Contino recently discussed his career and how his time at the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts prepared him for success.