Viola Davis, John Hamm capture Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES -- "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm finally won the best drama actor Emmy Award that eluded him seven times before, an honor that was eclipsed Sunday by "How to Get Away with Murder" star Viola Davis' lead actress trophy that ended a whites-only reign.

"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity," an emotional Davis said. "You cannot win Emmys with roles that are simply not there."

Hamm bypassed the steps to the Emmy stage, scrambling onto it on his stomach.

"There has been a terrible mistake, clearly," Hamm said.

Jon Stewart is gone from "The Daily Show" but not forgotten by Emmy voters, who gave the late-night show the best variety talk series award Sunday over another host who's moved on, Stephen Colbert.

Jon Hamm accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Mad Men" at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday. (Chris Pizzello ~ Invision/AP)

Stewart, who left the "Daily Show" earlier this year, warned the theater audience the perils of leaving TV include no applause or free food.

"To everybody on television, I just want to tell you, cling to it as long as you can," joked Stewart, who's turning over "Daily Show" to Trevor Noah.

Besides Colbert, who left his Comedy Central show to become host of CBS' late-night show, the competition included another channel alum, John Oliver.

"Transparent" emerged as an early winner at Sunday's Emmy Awards, capturing a best comedy actor trophy for Jeffrey Tambor and a directing award for its creator, and giving both winners a chance to pay tribute to the show's trangender themes.

"I'd like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. ... Thanks for letting us be part of the change," said Tambor, who plays a man journeying toward womanhood.

Jill Soloway, who based the series on the life of her own "moppa," as she calls her parent, used her directing trophy acceptance speech to ask for equal rights for transgender individuals.

"It is legal in the majority of U.S. states to refuse to rent to trans people," she said, saying the country has a civil-rights problem that must be addressed.

Peter Dinklage nabbed the best supporting drama actor award for "Game of Thrones," which also won writing and directing trophies.

Host Andy Samberg noted the 67th Emmys coincided with the 67th birthday for George R.R. Martin, whose novels are the basis for "Game of Thrones." A smiling Martin was in the theater audience to accept the congratulations.

Uzo Aduba won the supporting actress in a drama trophy for "Orange is the New Black," which was switched under academy rules this year from comedy competition. Aduba won a guest actress award last year for her portrayal of "Crazy Eyes" in the series.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored as best lead comedy actress for "Veep" for the fourth time. Allison Janney of "Mom" and Tony Hale of "Veep" were repeat winners for supporting comedy acting honors.

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Emmy Award winners

List of winners at Sunday's 67th prime-time Emmy Awards in Los Angeles:

Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Allison Janney, "Mom," CBS.

Writing, Comedy Series: Simon Blackwell, Amando Iannucci, Tony Roche, "Veep," HBO.

Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Tony Hale, "Veep," HBO.

Directing, Comedy Series: Jill Soloway, "Transparent," Amazon Instant Video.

Actor, Comedy Series: Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent," Amazon Instant Video.

Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep," HBO.

Reality-Competition Program: "The Voice," NBC.

Writing, Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special: Jane Anderson, "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Supporting Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, "American Crime," ABC.

Directing, Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special: Lisa Cholodenko, "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Supporting Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Bill Murray, "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Frances McDormand, "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Richard Jenkins, "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Limited Series: "Olive Kitteridge," HBO.

Writing, Variety Series: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central.

Variety Sketch Series: "Inside Amy Schumer," Comedy Central.

Directing, Variety Series: Chuck O'Neil, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

Variety Talk Series: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central.

Writing, Drama Series: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, "Game of Thrones," HBO.

Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black," Netflix.

Directing, Drama Series: David Nutter, "Game of Thrones," HBO.

Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones," HBO.

Actor, Drama Series: Jon Hamm, "Mad Men," AMC.

Actress, Drama Series: Viola Davis, "How to Get Away With Murder," ABC.

Comedy Series: "Veep," HBO.

Drama Series: Game of Thrones," HBO.

-- Associated Press