"I wouldn't be standing here without Jesse Tyler Ferguson, there is no Cam without Mitch," Stonestreet, adding that he's proud to portray one half of a happy gay couple on television.
"I'd never knew I'd be on TV as a gay man but I love the pictures of hairy chests you guys are sending me," he joked. "Thank you for those." The sitcoms director Steven Levitan also won an award.
For the same series, "Modern Family's" Julie Bowen took home the best supporting actress award, marking her second consecutive win in the category.
"That's my Sofia, God bless you!" Bowen said as she took the stage as her costar cheered after the applause died down. "Sofia, man, I know you're younger than me but I want to be you when I grow up."
Claire Danes won an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series Sunday for her role as psychologically troubled CIA officer Carrie Mathison on the Showtime series "Homeland." She was the overwhelming favorite to win in a category that included last year's winner, Julianna Margulies of "The Good Wife," as well as Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men"), Glenn Close ("Damages"), Kathy Bates ("Harry's Law") and Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey").
Downton Abbey's Maggie Smith won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, beating out Archie Panjabi, Anna Gunn, Joanne Froggatt, Christina Hendricks and Christine Baranksi, but wasn't present to accept.
