John Oliver's Emmy Awards may symbolize television excellence, but the trophies have not earned a place in his family home yet.
The "Last Week Tonight" host explained during a red carpet interview with Variety ahead of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards that he keeps his statuettes away from his children – and not out of modesty.
"I don't have them at home because we have little children, and they are a serviceable weapon," Oliver joked. "Anything is a weapon to a child, but that thing is heavy and pointy. You could impale an 8-year-old, which is what the 10-year-old would do."
John Oliver jokes that he doesn't keep his #Emmys at home because they are "weapons" that his children would use: "Anything is a weapon to a child, but that thing is heavy and
pointy. You could impale an eight-year-old, which is what the 10-year-old would do." CNN & Variety Red… pic.twitter.com/WuNOHXfIXn
— Variety (@Variety) September 14, 2026
The comedian, 49 shares two sons, Hudson, 10, and a second 8-year-old son who's name has not been publicly disclosed, with his wife, Kate Norley, 48. Oliver suggested the awards are better stored elsewhere than placed within reach of the siblings, sharing that "they're in boxes" because displaying them at home would create a safety hazard.
Oliver's concern is not entirely unfounded. A Primetime Emmy statuette stands about 15½ inches tall and weighs nearly 7 pounds made of copper, nickel, silver and gold. Its design features a winged woman holding an atom – providing both the weight and pointed edges behind Oliver's imagined sibling showdown.
How many Emmys has John Oliver won?
Oliver has accumulated 23 Emmy wins from 31 nominations during his television career, according to the Television Academy.
Three of those awards came for his work as a writer on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart." Oliver shared in the show's writing wins in 2009, 2011 and 2012 before departing the late-night program and launching "Last Week Tonight" on HBO in 2014.
The remaining 20 awards credited to Oliver came through "Last Week Tonight," which began its dominant Emmy run in 2016. Oliver and the series won in their respective program and writing categories every year from 2016 through 2025.
Oliver arrived at this year's ceremony with two more nominations. He was recognized as an executive producer and writer in the outstanding variety series category and as part of the show's nominated writing team.
Despite the considerable collection, Oliver appeared uninterested in creating a trophy room – particularly while his sons remain young enough to transform Hollywood hardware into potential weaponry.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Oliver reveals why he keeps his 23 Emmy trophies away from his children
