Emmy Awards 2024: Jean Smart Wins for ‘Hacks’

Jean Smart secured the Emmy for Lead Comedy Actress for her portrayal of Deborah Vance, a seasoned Las Vegas comedian, in the television series “Hacks.” This marks her third victory for this role and her sixth Emmy overall. Previously, Smart won Emmys as a guest actress on “Frasier” and as a supporting actress in the comedy “Samantha Who?”

In her acceptance speech, Smart humorously acknowledged the honor by remarking, “It’s very humbling, it really is, and I appreciate this because I just don’t get enough attention.” She proceeded to express gratitude towards the show’s creators, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, and extended special thanks to her long-time agent Scott Henderson, who she announced is retiring.

“Hacks” had returned for its third season in May 2024 after a hiatus caused by production delays due to the Hollywood strikes. The series explores the dynamic between Deborah Vance and a younger writer, Ava Daniels, as they work to revitalize Deborah’s comedic act.

Diving deeper into the series, Season 3 presented Deborah as she navigated new opportunities, including a potential late-night hosting gig, while addressing challenges from her comedic past. Alongside Smart, “Hacks” was up for several other categories, including Best Comedy Series.

Jean Smart’s career gained initial fame through her early role in “Designing Women” on CBS. Her notable television credits also include performances in “Samantha Who?,” “Fargo,” “Legion,” “Watchmen,” and “Mare of Easttown.”

The category of Lead Comedy Actress also featured nominees such as Quinta Brunson for “Abbott Elementary,” Ayo Edebiri for “The Bear,” and Selena Gomez for “Only Murders in the Building.”