Actor Bobby Cannavale won the Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire.

The actor was visibly surprised as he accepted his award, admitting he wasn't prepared and hadn't written anything down, and especially called out fellow nominee Mandy Patinkin.

"Mandy Patinkin is the first person I ever saw on stage, and he's my favorite person," Cannavale gushed.

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Cannavale also thanked director Timothy Van Patten, crediting him with one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

"He directed me on the weirdest first day of work I've ever had in my life," Cannavale said. "12 hours of beating somebody to death four different kinds of rubber wrenches."

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Cannavale was up for the award against Patinkin, who was nominated for his role as Saul Berenson on Homeland; Jim Carter from Downtown Abbey; Jonathon Banks and Aaron Paul, both from Breaking Bad; and 2011 winner Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones.

 He won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2005 for his work on Will and Grace, and has been nominated for the same category for his work in Nurse Jackie for the last two years.

 Boardwalk Empire airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.