Emmys 2012: Newcomer Max Greenfield Got an Early Pat on the Back From Paul Rudd

8:12 AM PDT 7/19/2012 by Michael O'Connell

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"Two years ago I was auditioning for 'Zeke and Luther,' and now I'm walking into hair and makeup, and Paul Rudd is congratulating me on my Emmy nomination," the "New Girl" actor tells THR, who's already coordinating outfits with co-star Zooey Deschanel.

Joe Pugliese

New Girl star Max Greenfield has spent his hiatus in New York, filming David Wain's They Came Together, so he was not woken at 5:40 a.m. when he received his first ever Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy series.

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"I was getting ready to get picked up for work and I got the call from everybody, screaming 'We did it!'" he tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I feel overwhelmed... I think that's about it."

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Best summing up that sense of whelm, Greenfield, who previously recurred on Veronica Mars, Ugly Betty and Greek, says the other events of his Emmy morning are something he never would have expected just over a year ago.

"I walked into hair and makeup this morning and Paul Rudd, who's the star of the movie, turns to me and goes, 'Hey man, congratulations on being nominated for an Emmy." What the f--- is going on with my life?" he says. "Two years ago I was auditioning for Zeke and Luther, and now I'm walking to hair and makeup and Paul Rudd is congratulating me on my Emmy nomination. I don't know what's happening."

Greenfield also chatted with co-star and fellow nominee Zooey Deschanel.

"I've never really seen anybody put themselves in front of a show the way she has," says Greenfield. "I've been emailing with her all morning. We're trying to coordinate our outfits already. We really want to make a splash. The New Girl cast is a classy bunch, who are also willing to take risks, fashion-wise."

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Shocked as he remains the morning of the news, Greenfield, who took part in THR's comedy actor roundtable, says the thought of a possible nomination has been planted in his head for a little while.

"I wasn't really about it not happening, I was more worried about what if it does happen, he says. "The idea that it was a possibility was a little nerve-racking."

Well, now he has about two months to get used to the idea.

Email: Michael.OConnell@THR.com; Twitter: @MikeyLikesTV