In addition to his Emmy for lead actor in a drama series for “The Americans,” Matthew Rhys said girlfriend Keri Russell would have given him something more painful had he popped the question during Monday’s ceremony.
“And finally, to the woman who truly got me this award, who just stands in front of me every day and just puts up with me,” the 43-year-old actor said in his acceptance speech. “She said, ‘If you propose to me, I’ll punch you clean in the mouth.’ I don’t have the words, or the time, neither which would do you justice, Keri Lynn, except thank you.”
Rhys, who has been dating “Americans” co-star Russell, 42, since 2013, followed fellow winner Glenn Weiss, who proposed to girlfriend Jan Svendsen during his acceptance speech for outstanding directing for a variety special, after working on this year’s Academy Awards.
“Mom always believed in finding the sunshine in things and she adored my girlfriend Jan. Jan, you are the sunshine in my life and Mom was right, don’t ever let go of your sunshine. You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife,” Weiss said on stage.
Rhys took home his first Emmy on Monday following three years of back-to-back nominations. “The Americans” concluded its six-season run earlier this year.
Prior to Rhys, Russell married carpenter Shane Deary in February 2007. They separated in 2013, and share son River and daughter Willa. She and Rhys welcomed son Sam in May 2016.