Clovis’ Chris Colfer receives 2nd Emmy nomination

Clovis East High graduate Chris Colfer has picked up his second consecutive Emmy nomination. His name was announced this morning as one of the contenders in the best supporting actor category for “The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.”

Colfer earned the Emmy nomination for his first professional acting role as the flamboyant Kurt Hummel on the Fox series “Glee.” The role was created by executive producer Ryan Murphy specifically for Colfer.

Colfer faces familiar competition. He will be in the running for the Emmy against the same nominees as last year: Jon Cryer of “Two and a Half Men” along with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell of “Modern Family.” Joining the group is Ed O’Neil of “Modern Family.”

Colfer lost in the category last year to Stonestreet.

This year’s nomination surprised Colfer.

“I think there was a lot more pressure on this one because the category is so strong and a lot of what I did this year was very dramatic,” Colfer said.

Colfer’s father woke him to tell him the news. The actor had worked late last night shooting a feature film that he wrote, “Struck By Lightning.”

Former Fresno State athlete Dot-Marie Jones also picked up an Emmy nomination for her work in “Glee,” playing Coach Beiste. Jones is nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category and will face Kristen Chenoweth and Gwyneth Paltrow from “Glee;” Cloris Leachman from “Raising Hope;” Tina Fey from “Saturday Night Live;” and Elizabeth Banks from “30 Rock.”

Colfer said he’s happier for Jones getting a nomination than he is for getting his second because she’s a wonderful person and great actor.

Josh Figgs, a 1998 Clovis West graduate, picked up his second Emmy nomination as one of the producers of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” The series is nominated in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category.