Steve Carell Reacts to the Internet Calling Him "Zaddy"
The Office alum weighed in on internet chatter over his silver fox status, joking at the 2026 Emmys that he's actually the one who "put it out there." (Click here to see all the celebrities on the red carpet.)
"It's been fantastic," Steve exclusively told Justin Sylvester during Live From E!: 2026 Emmys on Sept. 14. "I really buy into the whole thing."
Besides, the 64-year-old quipped that title certainly doesn't hurt his longtime marriage to Nancy Carell, with whom he shares kids Annie Carell, 25, and John Carell, 22.
"She knows the drill with me," Steve teased. "I'm old news. It's fine. We get along great—31 years. We're good."
And after more than three decades together, the Rooster star—who was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the Mariska Hargitay-hosted award show, but ultimately lost to Matthew Rhys—feels like he married "the right person."
As he sweetly put it, "You get lucky."
So, while the internet is thirsting over Steve, he only has eyes for his wife.
"I'm just trying to keep up with her," he previously told E! in a 2018 interview. "She's a babe, so what are you gonna do? I gotta try to keep pace a little bit."
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Especially since the actress—who's appeared in many of Steve's projects, including The Office, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Rooster—gives him an "incredible sense of empowerment."
"I remember our wedding day and I was standing at the altar, and it was like literally 105 degrees on a summer day," Steve recalled. "I was sweating bullets, and I turned and I saw her coming down the aisle. And I'll never forget it—I stopped sweating."
"I was overcome by this sense of calm," he continued. "I thought, 'That person has my back and I have hers, and I will be so much stronger as a team.'"
To see other Emmy 2026 attendees with their ride or dies, keep reading...
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Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
The late night host and his wife put their chemistry on display on the red carpet.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Kaley Cuoco & Tom Pelphrey
Baby on board. The Flight Attendant alum and the Task actor attend the Emmys 2026 just four months after confirming Cuoco's pregnancy.
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Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola
Another baby on board. The Mad Men actor's wife debuts her baby bump with a sweet date night moment.
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Grant Snow & Katherine LaNasa
No need to check the pulse on this sweet pair. The Pitt actress is supported by her husband of 12 years on the Emmys 2026 red carpet.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Harrison Ford & Calista Flockhart
The Indiana Jones alum goes classic to let his wife's magenta gown take center stage.
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Kayla Radomski & Jason Segel
There's no shrinking the love for this pair. The Shrinking alum is supported by his longtime partner at the Emmys 2026.
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Stephen Colbert & Evelyn McGee
A perfect pair, and some plaid. The Late Show host goes classic, while his wife took center stage in a grand plaid gown.
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Jason Bateman & Amanda Anka
The Emmy winner and his wife of 25 years go classic on the red carpet.
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John Mulaney & Olivia Munn
The comedian and the X-Men alum walk the red carpet hand-in-hand.
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Brenda Song & Macaulay Culkin
This duo is running point on the Emmys 2026 red carpet. The Suite Life alum and Home Alone star step out together.
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Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann
What's better than a date? Bringing the whole family. The Emmys 2026 host is joined by husband and their kids Andrew Hermann, Amaya Hermann and August Hermann.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Matthew Rhys & Keri Russell
A couple that Emmys together, stays together. The 2026 nominees turn their big night into a sweet date.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Lisa Rinna & Harry Hamlin
The Real Housewives alum and her husband put their nearly 30 years of marriage on display.
Don't miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast tonight, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. E!'s red carpet kicks off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
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