Jean Smart Makes History at Emmys 2026 With Actress in a Comedy Win

Zendaya Shuts Down Emmys 2026 Red Carpet With Shortest Haircut Yet

Jean Smart certainly knew how to hack it at the 2026 Emmy Awards. 

Especially as the Hacks star made history at the Sept. 14 ceremony hosted by Mariska Hargitay at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The award marked her fifth win in the category, making her the first woman to win acting Emmys for all seasons of her series.

Smart—who bested fellow nominees Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Elle Fanning (Margo’s Got Money Troubles) and Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback)—was clearly overwhelmed by her historic win. 

"I have so many people to thank," Smart remarked on stage. "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 also gave a special shoutout to the writers of the series Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky, adding, "It all begins and ends with them. I love you guys so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much. What a ride!"

Since the ending of Hacks earlier this year, Smart—who shares kids Connor, 36, and Forrest, 18, with late husband Richard Gilliland—has reflected on how bittersweet saying goodbye to the hit series has been. 

“One thing that helps is that we’re all so proud of the show,” she shared with The New York Times in May. “It would be a much worse feeling if we weren’t.”

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

And with the end, she was hopeful that fans would remember the show “as just hilarious.”

“You reach people easier with comedy than drama,” Smart explained. “There’s so much to depress people right now; we need comedy more than ever.”

And looking at the world today, with so much “darkness” the Emmy winner felt that “you’ve got to have the light”—especially because she found that finding the humor made such a difference in her own daily life as well.

“Making someone laugh is kind of like sex,” she added. “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.”

For a look at all the winners from the 2026 Emmy Awards, keep reading.