Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes (even Don Rickles!) score their first Emmy nominations

While there are some performers, like "Damages" stars Glenn Close and Ted Danson, who are old pros when it comes to the Emmys (they picked up nods 11 and 13 respectively today), others are new to the dance.

Among them are a host of talent who may be Oscar winners or nominees but had never competed for an Emmy until today.

Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey picked up his first Emmy nom for starring in the telefilm "Recount." Among his acting competition are two Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes and Paul Giamatti who got their first Emmy nods for two other HBO properties, "Bernard and Doris" and "John Adams" respectively. Two-time Oscar nominee Catherine Keener is a first time Emmy nominee for her lead role in the telefilm "An American Crime."

And then there are the stage actors who have won or been nominated for the Tony Award who are competing for their first Emmy. (Fiennes and Spacey could be on this list as well). Tony winner Kristen Chenoweth is a first-time nominee for her supporting work on the comedy series "Pushing Daisies." And Tony winner Stephen Dillane earned his first Emmy nod for his supporting turn on "John Adams." Tony nominee Gabriel Byrne competes for his first Emmy as lead actor for the drama series "In Treatment" while three-time Tony nominee Zeljko Ivanek is up for his first Emmy for his supporting work on the drama series "Damages." And four-time Tony nominee Eileen Atkins received her first Emmy nom for the miniseries "Cranford." (While Atkins bested her co-star Judi Dench in the lead race at the BAFTAs, here she competes in supporting.)

Among the series performers, lead Lee Pace is a first-timer for the comedy "Pushing Daisies" as are lead Jon Hamm and supporting player John Slattery for the drama "Mad Men."

Among the series guest star nominees are first timers Shelley Berman ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Carrie Fisher ("30 Rock") and Sarah Silverman ("Monk") on the comedy front and Glynn Turman ("In Treatment") on the drama side.

Three very different funny folk are also up for their first Emmys. Amy Poehler picked up her first nod for her supporting work on "Saturday Night Live" the day after it was announced she will be leaving the show this fall after seven seasons. After giving birth Poehler is to star in a spin-off of sorts from "The Office." While the same creative team is behind the new show, no characters from the Emmy-winning sitcom will appear. Because of a rule change, the "SNL" cast was forced to scoot over to the comedy-series acting categories, but, significantly only she survived the move. None of the male cast members.

(By the way, Amy's husband Will Arnett got a nod today as well for his guest spot on their friend Tina Fey's "30 Rock.") Ashley Jensen is competing for her first Emmy for her supporting work in the telefilm version of "Extras." And finally, more than half a century after making his television debut,comedy legend Don Rickles competes for his first Emmy for his performance on the HBO special "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project."

(Photos: AMPAS)