// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Five things you may not know about Emmy history-maker Matthew Rhys
Matthew Rhys, who grew up in Cardiff made history at the Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night
Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmys by becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night.
He was named best lead actor in a limited series for the psychological thriller The Beast In Me, and best lead actor in a comedy for his role in Widow's Bay.
Here are five things you may not already know about the history-making 51-year-old.
Turner and Rhys in the West End production of The Graduate in 2000
At the start of his career, Rhys was so desperate for work he considered joining the British Army.
In 2000, he stared alongside American actress Kathleen Turner in the West End production of The Graduate.
But for nearly two years afterwards he couldn't find work.
So he met with an army officer who he said was "incredibly suspicious" of him because he was an actor, and told him "we'll be in touch".
Rhys said: "Then about a week later, I got a rejection letter from the British Army saying, 'thank you for your interest, good luck in your career'.