Steven Levitan, executive producer, accepts the award for Outstanding Comedy Series for "Modern Family" at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The ceremony often struck a melancholy note with extended tributes to stars and other industry members who died in the past year.

"Well, this may be the saddest Emmys of all time but we could not be happier," said "Modern Family executive producer Steve Levitan.

The show also included upsets, defying the conventional wisdom in several categories, among them the best supporting acting comedy awards for Merritt Wever of "Nurse Jackie" and Tony Hale of "Veep."

"This just in. Nobyd in America is winning their Emmy office pool. Surprises galore," said host Neil Patrick Harris.

Dane's win ended the hopes that "Scandal" best actress nominee Kerry Washington would become the first African-American to win in the category.

"Saturday Night Live" became the most-honored series ever with Don Roy King's directing award Sunday; its cumulative 40 Emmys top previous record-holder "Frasier."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus claimed her second consecutive best comedy actress award for her role as an ambitious political second banana in "Veep," with Jim Parsons again claiming the top comedy acting trophy for "The Big Bang Theory."

"This is so much good fortune it's almost too much to bear," said Louis-Dreyfus. "I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to make people laugh. It's a joyful way to make a living."

Parsons added to the awards he won in 2011 and 2010 for the role of a science nerd.

"My heart, oh my heart. I want you to know I'm very award of how exceedingly fortunate I am," he said.

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