It's about time. Actor Michael Emerson won his first Emmy in three consecutive nominations in the category of best supporting actor in a drama series for his riveting portrayal of the multi-faceted Ben Linus on ABC's “;Lost.”; It was the second career Emmy for Emerson, who won in 2001 for a guest starring role as a serial killer on “;The Practice.”;

“;I feel like I'm living out a character actor's dream,”; Emerson said in his acceptance speech, in which he also uttered a few words in Hawaiian. “;One day I flew to Hawaii to do a guest spot, and four years later it's become the role of a lifetime.”;

The credit for that belongs to Emerson. When he arrived in 2006 for the show's second season, he gave life and depth to the role of the quirky leader posing as an average guy caught in a bizarre hot air balloon accident. Writers and producers ran with Emerson's talent, honed with years of stage work. Ben Linus rapidly evolved from a temporary character to one of the most pivotal in the series. Along the way he became an iconic villain who, in the end, might not be a bad guy after all.

Also nominated in 2007, Emerson lost to fellow cast mate Terry O'Quinn, who plays John Locke.

Emerson was the only actor from “;Lost”; who earned a nod last year and again this year. The show itself, which garnered an Emmy for its first season, was not so fortunate this time. Instead, “;Mad Men”; was named outstanding drama for the second year in a row.

Decked out in the same Hugo Boss tuxedo he wore last year, Emerson finished his evening with the Governor's Ball and an HBO soiree with his wife, actress Carrie Preston, who stars in HBO's “;True Blood.”;

“;Lost”; began shooting its final season in Hawaii last month. It is slated to debut early next year.