HBO stars sweep movie Emmys

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Stars of the silver screen who logged time on the small screen last year were rewarded with Emmys Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

HBO's cast swept the actor and actress awards for miniseries and or movies. Geoffrey Rush won his first Emmy for his title role in "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," and the actress award went to S. Epatha Merkerson for "Lackawanna Blues." Paul Newman was named outstanding supporting actor for "Empire Falls" and Jane Alexander took the supporting actress trophy for the historical drama, "Warm Springs."

Blythe Danner, the first actress to be nominated for three Emmys in a single year, was named best supporting actress in a drama for her role on Showtime's "Huff."

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continued loving "Raymond," giving Doris Roberts her fourth Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy for her role as the meddling mom on the sitcom that called it quits after nine seasons.

Comedy Central's fake news program, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," was named outstanding variety, music or comedy program and its writing team took an Emmy as well.

David Letterman paid homage to the late king of late night TV, Johnny Carson, and credited the "Tonight Show" host with giving him his career.