A Night Court Star Won Four Emmys — Then Asked Not To Be Nominated Again

Jean Smart's record of winning five consecutive Emmys stands unmatched, but there is one individual who not only achieved four Emmys in a row but also requested to be excluded from future nominations. That person is John Larroquette, who portrayed the memorable Dan Fielding in the popular NBC sitcom Night Court. For many years, Larroquette showcased his acting prowess as the smarmy and sexually charged attorney, which contributed significantly to the show's acclaim.

Despite having exceptional co-stars like Markie Post and Harry Anderson, Larroquette remained the sole recipient of the Emmy award for his role on the series.

Although happy with his achievements, Larroquette harbored concerns about the future of Dan Fielding. When discussions arose about transforming Dan into a standalone series, Larroquette expressed doubts, ultimately declining the opportunity. These apprehensions played a role in his decision to request exclusion from future Emmy nominations.

In an interview with The A.V. Club in 2008, Larroquette attributed his choice to two primary factors: his perception that his portrayal of Dan had diminished over the show's later seasons and the risk of typecasting. He wanted to maintain a level of anonymity, allowing room for future roles beyond Dan Fielding.

Regrettably, Larroquette's fears about life after Night Court eventually materialized. Ten years after the show's conclusion, he secured his first non-legal role as a father. However, the challenge of typecasting persisted, as he became associated with sleazy lawyer characters. Despite this, Larroquette ventured into sitcoms like The John Larroquette Show and Happy Family, as well as more dramatic roles in later projects such as The Practice, earning him his fifth Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Even though he initially harbored doubts about playing Dan Fielding in the 80s, Larroquette later returned to the role during Night Court's 2023 reboot.