Stars react to Emmy nominations

By Liz Raftery,

The nominations are in for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, and many of the actors and showrunners who received nods have expressed their gratitude — and, in some cases, surprise.

See what the stars had to say:

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story, Supporting Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries: "I want to thank the academy for honoring American Horror Story... It's been wonderful to work on a show with such talented actors and the fabulous creative team of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and all the brilliant writers who make Constance such an interesting character to play."

Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey creator: "It is a great honor and tremendously exciting to find our show on the list for this year's Emmy ceremony. The very steep competition can only be considered a compliment, since they are all fantastic programs, and I hope they are as happy as I am, celebrating their nominations."

Betty White, Betty White's Off Their Rockers, Outstanding Host for a Reality or a Reality-Competition Program: "I'm blown out of my mind and I'm thrilled beyond words."

Mad Men, American Horror Story and Downton Abbey lead Emmy nominations 

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock, Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: "As the show enters its last season, I'm gratified to be nominated again by the Academy."

Lena Dunham, Girls, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: "I have no jokes to make. This is an amazing morning."

Julie Bowen, Modern Family, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: "Wow! I'm really overwhelmed and grateful. It feels weird that our outrageously talented writers were overlooked as they make MF so great."

Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live, Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: "It's a great honor, though there should be parentheses next to my name with all of the SNL writers.  And now I have to kiss up to the cast members of Modern Family in hopes that they pull a Ving Rhames and give me their award when they win."

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family, Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: "I'm honored to be nominated in a category that has so many actors on so many shows doing such great work."

Emmys Surprises and Snubs: New faces are in; Hugh Laurie, The Office are out!

Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: "It's been an unbelievable year for us -- we are so happy and thankful. ... Everyone here is honored, thrilled, humbled, excited and already pretty drunk. And it's 9am."

Margaret Cho, 30 Rock, Guest Comedy Actress: "I'm so excited to have been nominated for an Emmy, especially for 30 Rock, which is an incredible show, and also for playing a deranged and deceased world dictator who has divided the small country of my origin in two. That's the best part. I think that's what I'd call iron curtain irony."

Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: "I am honored to be nominated for an Emmy Award for my work as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad. It is such a privilege to be part of this new golden age of television. I am especially thankful to the viewers who have tuned in and supported the provocative and profound nature of good storytelling."

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Smash executive producers, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: "[We] are thrilled to represent all our partners at Smash and are so very thrilled for our friends and co-Smash nominees Chris Bacon, Joshua Bergasse and Uma Thurman, who make us smile, and in the case of Uma, laugh uproariously."

View original Stars React to Emmy Nominations at TVGuide.com

Other Links From TVGuide.com

Alec Baldwin
Giancarlo Esposito
Jessica Lange
Jimmy Fallon
Julian Fellowes
Margaret Cho
Betty White
Bill Hader
Eric Stonestreet
Marc Shaiman
Scott Wittman
30 Rock
Ryan Murphy
Breaking Bad
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Modern Family
American Horror Story
Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Downton Abbey
Girls
Lena Dunham

View the original article on TVGuide.com