'We Couldn't Be Prouder': NJ Natives Win Big At 78th Emmy Awards

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Two Monmouth County natives made the Garden State proud on Monday as they took home awards during TV's biggest night.

Airing live from the Peacock Theater in LA, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards honored this year's standout achievements in primetime television.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star Mariska Hargitay opened the show as the first solo female host in 15 years, guiding viewers through a night of big wins, lifetime achievements and honoring those we lost in 2026.

• Read More: A Night Of Historic Firsts: See The Complete List Of 78th Emmy Awards Winners

While there was plenty to celebrate on the star-studded night, Jersey Shore residents celebrated two of their own wins, as Monmouth County natives Tom Pelphrey and Katie Dippold each took home awards.

Born in Howell Township in July 1982, Pelphrey took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for the show "Task."

Katie Dippold, who was born in Freehold Township in January 1980, won Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay."

Both Pelphrey and Dippold are alumni of the Freehold Regional High School District, which includes schools in Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro. Both also attended Rutgers University.

In an online post, the high school district congratulated its alumni, adding that their "dedication, talent, and hard work continue to inspire our entire educational community."

"Their success serves as a wonderful example for our current students of where creative passion and perseverance can lead," the district said. "We couldn't be prouder to call you both alumni!"

During each of their acceptance speeches, Pelphrey and Dippold took the time to thank friends and family who helped them achieve their dreams, as well as the cast, crew and networks they worked with along the way.

"This is incredible. Thank you," Pelphrey said as he accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series.

"I thank God for my life and my sobriety," he said. "I thank my family and my friends for all your love and support all these years — from Emmys to black box theaters and everything in between."

During his speech, Pelphrey also shouted out his "favorite actor in this room, my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley Cuoco," who is known for her role as Penny in the sitcom series "The Big Bang Theory."

Pelphrey concluded his speech with a heartfelt message to Cuoco and their children, describing his family as "the crown jewel of my life."

In Dippold's acceptance speech, she also extended her thanks to friends, family and her show's cast, crew and writers, adding that the Emmy "is going to become my entire personality now."

"I always told myself if I ever won one of these things, I would stay humble. You know, maybe I wouldn't even display it. I would just do one of those cool Hollywood things where you keep it in the garage," Dippold said as she accepted the award for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series.

"But standing here now, I promise all of you that no one will ever step foot in my home without seeing this thing [the Emmy]," she continued to a room full of laughs and cheers.

"It will have its own spotlight. It is going to sit on a rotating turntable," Dippold said. "I will create a system of mirrors so no matter where you stand in my home, this is going to be in your direct eye-line."

According to an online post from Rutgers University, Pelphrey will now join James Gandolfini and Sheryl Lee Ralph as alums who have won Primetime Emmys in the acting category, while Dippold will join Mike Sweeney and Christopher Markus in the writing category.