Connor Storrie earns first Emmy nomination for his 'SNL' hosting turn

Connor Storrie has landed his first Emmy nomination, and it came for an unexpected part of his rapid rise: his hosting turn on Saturday Night Live.

The 26-year-old was nominated on Wednesday in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category. The recognition follows a breakout year that has transformed him from a waiter just 15 months ago into one of the entertainment industry's most visible new names.

Storrie became widely known after Heated Rivalry turned into a pop culture hit. But because the series was an entirely Canadian financed production, he was not eligible for an Emmy nomination for his performance in the show. As an American, he also could not be considered for a 2026 Canadian Screen Award.

That left the Emmy spotlight to fall on his guest appearance on SNL, where he reportedly drew on improv training from the Groundlings and his time in LA's alternative clown scene to play a range of characters.

His recent run has also included high-profile magazine shoots, brand ambassador work for YSL and Tiffany & Co., attention around the Met Gala and a starring role in an upcoming film opposite Melissa McCarthy.

In Heated Rivalry, Storrie plays bisexual hockey phenom Ilya Rozanov. The series won 16 awards at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Drama Series, Best Lead Performance for Hudson Williams, and Best Direction and Writing for a Drama Series for Jacob Tierney.

Storrie is nominated alongside Michael J. Fox, Brett Goldstein, Christopher McDonald and Rob Reiner. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and will stream on Peacock.