Jean Smart Makes Emmy History With Record Win

Jean Smart achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the fifth consecutive season of Hacks. This unprecedented "perfect run" makes her the first performer to earn an Emmy for every season a show has aired. Smart, 75, was accompanied by her 17-year-old son, Forrest, sharing a touching moment as she accepted the award.

During her acceptance speech, Smart expressed gratitude to her network, representatives, and crucially, her sons, Connor and Forrest, whom she affectionately called her "anchor." She dedicated the award to the series creators, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs. This win ties Smart with other performers for the most Emmys won, accumulating eight awards throughout her career.

The conclusion of Hacks in May brought a "bittersweet" farewell for Smart, who had always known the show would end after five seasons. Initially concerned about portraying a stand-up comedian convincingly, Smart found validation in passing the "litmus test" with real comedians, a concern she shared in 2024.