Jean Smart Wins the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for ‘Hacks’

Jean Smart achieved a historic milestone on Monday, winning her fifth Emmy for her role as a tenacious stand-up comic on the long-running series Hacks. The actress, who portrayed Deborah Vance, a septuagenarian comedian striving to remain relevant, made history as the first performer to secure the best comedy actress award for every season of a show's run. Hacks concluded its final season on HBO Max earlier this year, making Smart's achievement even more remarkable.

In a surprising turn, supporting comedy actress Kate O’Flynn took home the award for her role as a quirky mayoral assistant in the Apple TV horror comedy Widow’s Bay. Mariska Hargitay, star of NBC's drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, hosted the ceremony, marking a departure from the tradition of having a comedian serve as emcee. Hargitay joked about the pressure of the evening, noting that it's reassuring to see familiar faces, though she didn't specifically mention the arrests she's made on SVU.

The Emmys presented a rare night of celebration for the industry as it faces production cutbacks, concerns over artificial intelligence, and the contentious Paramount Skydance purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, a deal that has sparked legal challenges. The competition was fierce, with HBO Max's The Pitt favored to win best drama for a second straight year.

Notable competitors included newcomer Pluribus, an Apple TV show about a woman battling an alien hive mind. The Pitt's lead actor, Wyle, is a leading contender for a second consecutive best actor Emmy. Emmy winners are chosen by the over 27,000 members of the Television Academy.