2025 Emmy Nominations
By Deanna Gasparyan
USC Thornton alumni were well-represented as nominees in the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
On July 15, nine USC Thornton alumni received Emmy nominations across multiple categories for their excellence in music composition and direction. The nominations were announced by actors Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song in Los Angeles.
David Bertok (GCRT ’13) received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special with Chef’s Table. In the same category, Duncan Thum (‘06, GCRT ‘13) earned his third Emmy nomination, also for Chef’s Table.
Julia Newman (MM ’20) was nominated for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special with Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, alongside her father Thomas Newman. This marks the composer’s first Emmy nomination.
Three alumni had an impressive showing in the Outstanding Music Composition for a Series category: 2023 Emmy winner Leo Birenberg (GCRT ’11) for Cobra Kai, first-time nominee Sherri Chung (GCRT ’09) for Based on a True Story, and 2019 Emmy winner Brandon Roberts (‘98, GCRT ’99) for Andor.
In the Outstanding Music Direction category, 2018 Emmy winner Eli Brueggemann (MM ’03) was nominated for his long-standing work on Saturday Night Live, this year for the 50th anniversary special.
Christopher Lennertz (’95) received his third Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics with The Boys.
Finally, three-time Emmy Award winner Carlos Rafael Rivera (MM ’04, DMA ’10) was nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music with Dept. Q.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled for September 14, with comedian Nate Bargatze as host.
Featured Image: Carlos Rafael Rivera accepts the Emmy for outstanding music composition for a limited or anthology series, movie or special (original dramatic score) for “Lessons in Chemistry” during night two of the Television Academy’s 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services)
