Quinta Brunson Makes History as First Black Actress in Decades to Win Lead Comedy Actress Emmy

Quinta Brunson has made history by becoming the first Black actress in decades to win the prestigious Emmy award for Best Lead Comedy Actress. The last time a Black actress won in this category was in 1981, when Isabel Sanford of ‘The Jeffersons‘ took home the honor.

Brunson’s triumph came for her exceptional performance in the ABC sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary,’ a series she not only stars in but also created and writes for. Overwhelmed with emotion, Brunson fought back tears as she accepted her well-deserved accolade during the 75th Emmy Awards ceremony.

Grasping the coveted statuette, Brunson declared, ‘I love making ‘Abbott Elementary’ so much, and I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy.’ Evidently passionate about her craft, she added, ‘I am so happy to be able to get this.’ The talented actress thanked her entire family, including her husband, and expressed her love for the cast of ‘Abbott Elementary’.

Brunson’s success extends beyond her Lead Comedy Actress win. She is also nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress category for her hosting gig on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Additionally, ‘Abbott Elementary’ received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards. With this recognition, Brunson is now a two-time Emmy winner, having previously won in 2022 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for her contributions to ‘Abbott.’

‘Abbott Elementary’ revolves around the daily challenges and triumphs of a group of dedicated teachers at a public school in Philadelphia. The heartwarming workplace comedy showcases their unwavering commitment to helping their students thrive, despite limited resources.