Kelsey Grammer says being Republican cost him an Emmy nomination [Video]

Did Kelsey Grammer's political leanings lead to his recent Emmy snub? He sure seems to think so.

Grammer won a Golden Globe for his chilling portrayal of power-mad mayor Tom Kane on the Starz political drama "Boss," but he didn't even get a nomination at this year's Emmys. Chatting with Jay Leno last night on "The Tonight Show," Grammer offered up a theory for the oversight: "It may have to do with several things, honestly. I think it's possible... I mean, I am a declared, out-of-the-closet Republican in Hollywood." He went on to say, "Do I believe it’s possible that some young person, young voting actor, or even older voting member for the Emmys would sit there and go, ‘Oh yeah, that’s a great performance, but oooh, I just hate everything he stands for?’ I don’t believe that’s possible," adding a sarcastic smile for effect.

[Photos: More Emmys Snubs and Surprises]

Now Grammer seemed to be bringing this up mostly in jest, but it is true that conservatives are a rare breed in Hollywood. Still, Grammer does already have five Emmys and a total of 14 nominations (most coming from his years as Dr. Frasier Crane on "Cheers" and "Frasier"), so it's not as if he's always been ignored by the TV academy. Jay even pushed him on that point, but Grammer joked that he became a Republican "just after that last [Emmy win]." (Not true: Grammer scored Emmys in 2004 and 2006 years after contributing to George W. Bush's 2001 presidential inauguration fund.)

But it wasn't all heavy political talk last night: The 57-year-old Grammer also revealed that he's proven his love for new wife Kayte Walsh by getting a tattoo of her name on his lower abdomen, even dropping trou to show off his ink to the "Tonight Show" audience. Paging Dr. Crane: We may have a serious midlife crisis brewing here.

Kelsey Grammer gives us an exclusive sneak peek at the new season of "Boss" right here: