Dreams and gratitude were hallmarks of the 27th Television Academy Hall of Fame. The evening’s inductees shared the hopes and goals that drove them to become icons, and they acknowledged the invaluable support of mentors, partners, family and friends.
Held August 16, 2025 at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles as the final event of Televerse, the ceremony saw the induction of actors Viola Davis and Henry Winkler, writer-producer-director Ryan Murphy, talk show host–comedian Conan O'Brien, composer Mike Post, and the late Don Mischer, a producer-director of variety shows, sports and other events.
“The Hall of Fame is truly one of our most cherished traditions, where we honor the visionaries whose artistry and innovation defined, elevated and forever changed television — and with it, our culture,” Academy chair Cris Abrego said in his welcome.
All six honorees are Emmy winners. Viola Davis, the first Black performer to win as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — for playing defense attorney–law professor Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder in 2015 — was inducted by Sally Field. She said in acceptance, “I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe growing up in such abject poverty, in a world where I didn't think that I was pretty, I didn't think that anyone saw me, and then all of a sudden, I dreamed the biggest dream ... and my life has been magic. I'm incredibly grateful for this award.
Ryan Murphy’s storytelling magic has conjured up more than 25 series so far — among them Glee, the American Horror Story anthology and the gay- and trans-themed Pose — and more than 800 episodes. In 2010, Glee brought him the first of his six Emmys. He was inducted by Disney Entertainment cochairman Dana Walden.
“I'm so thrilled to be here,” he said. “This is something that when I was a younger person, someone like me [a gay man] would never be allowed to get. Traditionally in Hollywood, someone like myself was a side character at best. But with a lot of support and luck and hard work, I got to imbue main-character energy in my own life, and as a result, that's what I've always tried to give back: The misfits, the ignored, the hated, the misunderstood, the sidekicks became not marginalized; they became the leads.”
See the 27th Hall of Fame photo gallery and watch all the presentations and acceptance speeches.
On Happy Days, Henry Winkler turned a supporting character, the cooler-than-cool Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, into not only a lead but a cultural phenomenon. “I dreamt maybe I would win an award,” he said in acceptance. “I never dreamt Hall of Fame. Unbelievable. I am living my dream, and what I am the most proud of is … that I am still at the table.” He landed his first Emmy in 2018 for Barry. Adam Sandler (introduced by former Warner Bros. chair and CEO Bob Daly) inducted Winkler via video.
Like Murphy, Mike Post is a creator of prodigious output. First with his late collaborator, Pete Carpenter, and then on his own, he has written music for more than 7,000 hours of programming — including themes for The Rockford Files, Hill Street Blues, The A-Team and Law & Order — making him the most prolific composer in television history. He won an Emmy in 1996 for the Murder One theme. Music journalist Jon Burlingame inducted him.
“I don't know many people who have had a career in TV that has lasted 55 years,” Post said. “And now to be honored this way by the Academy. How lucky am I to have made a living doing something that I would have done for free? Music's not just what I do. Music is who I am. I'm immensely grateful. Thank you all so much.”
Don Mischer, who died April 11 at age 85, left a six-decade television legacy, with credits including Super Bowl halftime shows, Olympics opening ceremonies and numerous awards shows. He won the first of his 13 Emmys in 1981 for The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration. Bob Costas inducted Mischer, and his widow, Suzan, and three of his children accepted on his behalf.
“Don would have been so happy and deeply touched to be awarded this prestigious honor,” Suzan said. “Don loved the medium of television. He poured his heart and soul into his shows, always striving to move audiences with emotion and surprise, and always in search of a killer moment.”
Conan O’Brien’s career stretches from writing for Saturday Night Live (where he won the first of his five Emmys) and The Simpsons to nearly 16 years as host of Late Night to his current Emmy-winning travel show, Conan O’Brien Must Go. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Lisa Kudrow.
“I thank you, Television Academy,” he said. “Things are changing fast. I don't claim to know the future of our beloved medium, but I know this: Getting the privilege to play around with an hour of television has been the great joy of my professional career. This is the honor of a lifetime. It means everything to me. I'm stunned to be in this company. I don't think I deserve it, but I'll take it.”
Bob Bain was executive producer of the 2025 ceremony. Rick Rosen is chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
