Jean Smart Wins Emmy for ‘Hacks’ and Playfully Mixes Up HBO and Max: ‘Just What We Needed, Another Network’

As a seasoned movie-lover and admirer of exceptional acting talent, I can confidently say that Jean Smart is undeniably one of the most captivating actresses gracing our screens today. With her third Emmy win for “Hacks” and sixth overall, she has truly solidified her status as a television icon.


On Sunday, Jean Smart was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, honoring her exceptional performance as Deborah Vance in Season 3 of “Hacks” on Max.

She’s earned the gold trophy for her “Hacks” character three times now, making it her sixth overall Emmy award. Back in 2008, she snatched the prize for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Samantha Who?”, and she took home two additional Guest Actress in a Comedy Series awards for “Frasier” in 2000 and 2001.

Smart was genuinely moved, admitting he doesn’t often receive much recognition. He was sincere in saying this when he stepped up to accept the award.

I can’t express my gratitude adequately for considering me for such an amazing opportunity. That includes Casey, Sara, and everyone else at HBO. As for Max – I’m just kidding, it’s exactly the kind of boost we needed, another network!” (This version is a bit more concise and maintains the humor and gratitude in the original.)

Instead of going on to honor her longtime agent Scott Henderson, who is retiring and causing her heartache as she put it, she described him as an extraordinary, refined, discerning, considerate, humorous individual. She added that he never attempted to persuade her into or out of decisions she wasn’t comfortable with regarding matters she truly didn’t feel good about.

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Apart from her role in “Hacks,” Smart is widely recognized for her performances as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in “Designing Women” (1986-1991) on CBS and Regina Newley in “Samantha Who?” (2007-2009) on ABC. She also graced our screens in Season 2 of “Fargo” in 2015, “Legion” from 2017 to 2019 on FX, and in “Watchmen” in 2019 and “Mare of Easttown” in 2021, both of which aired on HBO.

In addition, Quinta Brunson from “Abbott Elementary,” Ayo Edebiri from “The Bear,” Selena Gomez from “Only Murders in the Building,” Maya Rudolph from “Loot,” and Kristen Wiig from “Palm Royale” were also put forward for the title of best lead actress in comedy.

On Sunday, “Hacks” was nominated for several comedy awards in the categories of comedy series, supporting comedy actress (Hannah Einbinder), supporting comedy actor (Paul W. Downs), comedy direction, and comedy writing.

See the full list of Emmy winners here.

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2024-09-16 04:17