NEW YORK — Tramell Tillman has made his ancestors proud.

The "Severance" star, 40, delivered a powerful family tribute and reflected on his historic Emmy win on Oct 30 at Time100 Next, an event in New York City honoring the world's most influential rising stars.

In a toast at the gala, Tillman recounted the story of a couple from Prince George, Virginia, named James and Pearl Hill, culminating in the reveal that the people he was speaking of were his grandparents.

"James and Pearl served with the NAACP, both leading the Prince George chapter, with Pearl serving as their first female president," he explained. "They traveled the country ensuring Black people exercised their right to vote. They helped to orchestrate voter registration drives and arrange transportation to, and from, the polling sites."

The "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" star continued that while "voters freely exercising their rights were under attack from those desiring to keep their voices silent" at this time, "that didn't deter" James and Pearl. The pair eventually enrolled their daughters into the first integrated school in Prince George County, where the "brave" children received an education, "while being ruthlessly taunted by those who hated them," Tillman said.

James and Pearl died in their 90s, "but not before they cast their last vote in their local election," Tillman added.

"Their six girls grew up to be fine women, with careers and families of their own. In fact, one of the women bore a son, who became an actor. In 2025, the grandson of James and Pearl Hill won an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. I am my ancestors' wildest dreams."

In September, Tillman made history by becoming the first Black man to win the Emmy for best supporting actor in a drama series, which he received for his breakout role of Mr. Milchick on the Apple TV series "Severance." In his Emmys acceptance speech, the actor honored his mother, who accompanied him to the ceremony.

"Momma, you were there for me when no one else was, and no one else would show up," he said at the time. "Your love and kindness stays with me, and this is for you."

Tillman closed his Time100 Next toast by raising a glass to "the ancestors, those brave souls who wouldn't settle for what was handed to them, whose commitment to excellence, equity, humanity, soared them from obscurity right into history."

He also noted, days ahead of New York City's closely watched mayoral election, that "today, I voted early."

The Time100 Next list recognizes influential people on the rise in various fields, including actors, singers, world leaders and more. Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande were among the stars who wrote tributes to their peers.

Jonathan Bailey, Teyana Taylor, Meghann Fahy, Monica Barbaro, Becky G, Manny Jacinto, Lainey Wilson, Jack Quaid, Damson Idris and other Time100 Next honorees stepped out for the star-studded gala, during which Tate McRae, another honoree, delivered a live performance.

Jonathan Bailey calls togetherness a 'radical act' in Time100 speech

With the release of "Wicked: For Good" in sight, Bailey delivered the closing remarks of the night: a stirring toast about the importance of communal experiences.

"Right now, we are technically more connected, but in isolation, and I believe we should seize any opportunity to bring people together," the "Jurassic World Rebirth" star said.

"So here's to house parties, here's to watching films in cinemas, to watching TV with friends. Here's to listening parties, to inviting people around to chat. To experiencing life together. Because at this moment in time, sharing ideas, stories and different perspectives in a room with other humans is a radical act."

Bailey ended his speech by calling back to the early role that helped get him hooked on acting: Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol" for the Royal Shakespeare Company: "In the famous, revered words of my trusted little guru Tiny Tim, which is where it all started for me 30 years ago, God bless us, everyone."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tramell Tillman reflects on historic Emmy win in powerful tribute to his grandparents

Reporting by Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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