Golden Globes: ‘Transparent’s’ Jeffrey Tambor Becomes First TV Actor to Win for Transgender Role

Transparent continued to rack up awards in its stellar first Golden Globes run as Jeffrey Tambor took home the best actor in a TV series, comedy, trophy for his work in the Amazon critical darling. 

Hailing from creator Jill Soloway, Transparent follows a Los Angeles patriarch (Tambor) as she struggles to come out as transgender to her self-involved adult children (Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass and Gaby Hoffman) — all of whom are dealing with their own issues involving gender and sexuality.

Tambor was quick to thank the creator for her role in bring Maura Pfefferman to life: “Jill Soloway, you have changed my life.” He quickly added, “For the better, by the way.”

The freshman seriocomic series, which won the award for best comedy series earlier in the broadcast, is partially based on Soloway’s experiences with a trans parent. In accepting her award, Soloway dedicated the top comedy prize to her “moppa.”

“You told your truth, you taught me how to tell my truth and make this show,” she said in her acceptance speech, “and maybe we’re going to be able to teach the world something about authenticity and truth and love. To love.”

See more Golden Globes Photos: Red Carpet Arrivals

Transgender issues were thrust into the national spotlight again this week following the tragic death of Leelah Alcorn. Soloway shared the best TV comedy award dedication with the young transgender girl who heartbreakingly took her life in the face of relentless transphobia.

Tambor also took the opportunity to dedicate his award and performance to the transgender community: “Thank you for letting us be a part of the change.”

This year has seen the incredible rise of transgender representation in the media, from Orange Is the New Black‘s Laverne Cox landing on the cover of Time magazine (she tweeted her support of Soloway’s dedication) to Jared Leto winning an Oscar for his role as a trans woman in Dallas Buyer’s Club.

However, as the transgender community continues to fight for acceptance and faces losses like Leelah’s and the numerous trans women and men that lose their lives every day, the HFPA’s recognition of the power and representation inherent in Transparent was no doubt a special win.

Tambor’s work as Mort/Maura beat out tough competition in Louis C.K. (Louie), William H. Macy (Shameless), Ricky Gervais (Derek) and former category winner Don Cheadle (House of Lies) to win his first Golden Globe.

Transparent was part of Amazon’s second pilot season last February, and the 10-episode series premiered in full online this past October. Tambor thanked both Amazon and its head of comedy, Joe Lewis (“My new best friend[s]”), for their faith and support.

After receiving its first nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association this year, Amazon has gone a perfect two for two at this year’s fete. The victory solidified Amazon, along with new-media peer Netflix, as a legitimate challenge to the traditional network and cable giants.

Watch THR‘s exclusive interview with Jeffrey Tambor and creator Jill Soloway below.