Jean Smart won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "Hacks" at the 2026 Emmy Awards on September 14, becoming the first woman to win an acting Emmy for every season of the same series.
The win was Smart's fifth in the category, one for each season of "Hacks." The ceremony was held at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater and hosted by Mariska Hargitay. Smart beat fellow nominees Quinta Brunson ("Abbott Elementary"), Ayo Edebiri ("The Bear"), Elle Fanning ("Margo's Got Money Troubles") and Lisa Kudrow ("The Comeback").
Smart's Acceptance Speech
An overwhelmed Smart thanked those around her on stage. "I have so many people to thank," she said. "Of course, Universal and HBO and my reps, who are the best in the business, and my children who are my anchor."
The 75-year-old actress also singled out "Hacks" writers Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky. "It all begins and ends with them," she said. "I love you guys so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much. What a ride!"
Reflecting on the End of Hacks
"Hacks" ended earlier this year, and Smart, who shares two children, Connor, 36, and Forrest, 18, with her late husband Richard Gilliland, has spoken about how bittersweet the show's conclusion has been. "One thing that helps is that we're all so proud of the show," she told The New York Times in May. "It would be a much worse feeling if we weren't."
Smart said she hoped fans would remember "Hacks" as "just hilarious." "You reach people easier with comedy than drama," she explained. "There's so much to depress people right now; we need comedy more than ever."
Looking at the state of the world, Smart said that amid so much "darkness," "you've got to have the light," adding that humor makes a difference in her own daily life. "Making someone laugh is kind of like sex," she said. "You're getting this physical reaction from somebody that is so pleasant, that is so life-affirming, your endorphins go crazy. I will always make a joke."
Other Major Winners at the 2026 Emmys
Smart's win came on a night that also crowned "The Pitt" as Outstanding Drama Series and "Widow's Bay" as Outstanding Comedy Series. Other major winners included:
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn, "Pluribus"
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle, "The Pitt"
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Allison Janney, "The Diplomat"
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, "Task"
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Matthew Rhys, "Widow's Bay"
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate O'Flynn, "Widow's Bay"
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Stephen Root, "Widow's Bay"
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Betty Gilpin, "Widow's Bay"
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Rob Reiner, "The Bear"
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Shailene Woodley, "Paradise"
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Ernest Harden Jr., "The Pitt"
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: "DTF St. Louis"
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Sally Field, "Remarkably Bright Creatures"
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Matthew Rhys, "The Beast in Me"
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Linda Cardellini, "DTF St. Louis"
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: David Harbour, "DTF St. Louis"
- Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program: "Love on the Spectrum"
- Outstanding Structured Reality Program: "Antiques Roadshow"
- Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program: Alan Cumming, "The Traitors"
- Outstanding Reality Competition Program: "The Traitors"
- Outstanding Variety Series: "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert"
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): "The Muppet Show"
- Outstanding Host for a Game Show: Jimmy Kimmel, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
Matthew Rhys picked up two trophies on the night, winning both Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay" and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "The Beast in Me."
