Jeff Hiller lands second Emmy nod for complex guest role in Pluribus

Jeff Hiller, who won an Emmy for Somebody Somewhere in 2025, was surprised to learn he had secured a second nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series after the ceremony announced other categories. The nod comes from his eight-minute appearance as Lawrence J. Kless, known as Larry, in the post-apocalyptic drama Pluribus, where he plays a member of a collective hive mind. Vince Gilligan deliberately concealed the character’s true purpose until Hiller met with Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn in Albuquerque the day before filming, leading Hiller to initially think he was auditioning for a different part.

Rehearsals with Seehorn, executive producer Alison Tatlock, and director Zetna Fuentes resembled a stage play, helping Hiller capture the character’s overly upbeat demeanor while conveying underlying humanity. In the scene, Larry greets the protagonist Carol, voiced by Seehorn, and offers poetic compliments that mask painful truths, creating a comedic-dramatic tension. Hiller praised Seehorn’s presence and leadership on set, noting her genuine engagement with the cast. The nomination highlights Hiller’s versatility across network comedies and acclaimed streaming dramas during the 2025-2026 Emmy eligibility period.