TV Article Emmys 2016: Courtney B. Vance wins best actor in a limited series By Oliver Gettell Oliver Gettell Senior news editor, EW.com EW's editorial guidelines Published on September 18, 2016 12:00PM EDT Photo: Byron Cohen /FX The verdict is in: Courtney B. Vance has won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance as Johnnie Cochran in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He thanked colleagues and family, including his wife Angela Bassett, while accepting the award at the 68th annual ceremony Sunday in Los Angeles. He capped his speech with his endorsement for president: “Obama out! Hillary in!” Portraying the charismatic defense attorney in the FX miniseries, Vance beat out his costar Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as Bryan Cranston in All the Way, Idris Elba in Luther, Tom Hiddleston in The Night Manager, and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock: The Abominable Bride. This marks Vance’s first Emmy and first nomination. Although Vance, 56, has been acting for three decades, Cochran was something of a breakout role. To play the silver-tongued lawyer, Vance focused on capturing his essence rather than trying to imitate him. As he told The Frame earlier this year, “I simply had to get my head in the right space. And if I caught the spirit of the man, I’d allow the audience in, and they’d forgive any shortcomings I had because they’d recognize I’m not trying to be him, I’m trying to suggest him.” via GIPHY See all the Emmy winners here.