KEY POINT
Jean Smart has won lead actress in a comedy for all five seasons of “Hacks.”
Her latest victory gives her eight acting Emmys overall, tying Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Smart portrayed comedian Deborah Vance, whose story concluded with “Hacks” in May.
Smart’s latest Emmy extends an unusual run of consistency across “Hacks.” She received the lead actress award for each of the show’s five seasons, matching the success of the series’ fictional comedian Deborah Vance, a character whose career ambitions remained central to the final chapter.
The final season followed Deborah as she tried to rebuild her career after leaving her late-night talk show. One of her biggest ambitions was to headline a comedy event at Madison Square Garden, but obstacles ultimately changed those plans, with the performance taking place in Central Park instead.
The actress faced a competitive field that included Quinta Brunson for “Abbott Elementary,” Ayo Edebiri for “The Bear,” Elle Fanning for “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” and Lisa Kudrow for “The Comeback.”
Smart’s Emmy history now places her among the actors with the highest number of acting wins. Her eight acting Emmys tie the totals of Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with Louis-Dreyfus having earned six lead actress awards during “Veep’s” seven-season run.
Smart’s previous Emmy victories came in different acting categories and for different television roles. She won guest actress Emmys in 2000 and 2001 for portraying Lana Gardner on “Frasier,” before taking supporting actress honors in 2008 for Regina Newly on “Samantha Who?”
“Deborah Vance” represented a different kind of role for Smart, who said in 2021 that the character allowed her to explore a part that felt new to her. She described Deborah as a combination of elements from some of her favorite roles she had performed onstage and onscreen.
“Hacks” centered on Deborah’s complicated relationship with her younger comedy writer, Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder. That relationship formed a major part of the comedy throughout its run before the series concluded in May.
Smart’s fifth consecutive lead actress Emmy for “Hacks” gives the series a defining achievement through its central performer. Her latest win also places the conclusion of Deborah Vance’s story alongside one of Smart’s most decorated television performances.
