54-year-old Noah Wyle felt a new wave of hope after receiving an Emmy nomination after a 26-year hiatus.
Until the hope broke
54-year-old Noah Wyle saw a point in his acting career where he had given up hope of getting an Emmy again.
“I gave up hope that this was going to be something my career would be part of again,” he told PEOPLE.
Old man, new enthusiasm
When he heard he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Drama Series (as EP) for HBO Max’s hit series The Pitt, he was blown away.
“It’s hitting an older man, that’s for sure,” Noah admitted with a laugh.
Comeback after 26 years
His last Emmy nomination was in 1999 for ER, when he played Dr. John Carter.
At that time, he had been nominated five times in the Supporting Actor category.
This journey with The Pitt reached its climax after 26 years.
Mentor’s admission
Noah gives all the praise to John Wells, whom he calls his “true godfather.”
Wells mentored him on both ER and The Pitt.
“Anything I’m doing on this is to please him and to stay under his protective umbrella,” Noah said with characteristic gusto.
Among the young stars
The Pitt’s cast includes many new faces, and Noah feels like an “elder statesman.”
“It’s their moment in the sun,” he said, describing how the energy of the new cast members inspired him.
Teamwork wins
The Pitt received a total of 13 Emmy nominations, and each department’s nomination was a testament to the team’s hard work.
Katherine LaNasa earned her first nomination for Supporting Actress, which she called a “delightful surprise.”
Gratitude and excitement
Noah told PEOPLE that the nominations are not just a personal success, but a win for the entire crew.
“A heartfelt congrats to all my fellow nominees. I’m humbled and grateful,” he said.
Looking ahead
The Pitt is streaming on HBO Max, with Season 2 set to arrive in January 2026.
The 77th Emmy Awards will air live on CBS on September 14.
Noah Wyle’s return proves that true passion knows no age.