‘Hacks’ Star Jean Smart Makes Emmys History with Unprecedented Achievement

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Comedy categories at the Emmys often reward consistency alongside raw talent, and few performers have exemplified this better than the cast of HBO Max’s ‘Hacks.’ The show has built its reputation on a mentor-mentee dynamic that has only grown stronger over the years, largely thanks to its lead.

This year marked a significant conclusion as ‘Hacks’ wrapped its five-season run in May. With the series now complete, all eyes were on whether its star could finish strong, potentially winning once more in a category that has become synonymous with her.

Jean Smart achieved just that on Monday night, winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her final portrayal of Deborah Vance. This victory made her the first female performer in Emmys history to win an acting award for every single season of a series. Smart’s win at the 2026 ceremony completed an impressive five-for-five sweep across ‘Hacks,’ following victories in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.

There is a small technicality to note; ‘Hacks’ did not have a new season eligible during the January 2024 ceremony, which allowed Quinta Brunson to take the category for ‘Abbott Elementary.’ However, Smart still won in every year the show was eligible.

Smart’s achievement carries significance beyond the streak itself. This win brought her total to eight career Emmys, tying her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting Emmys ever won by a woman, with Ed Asner trailing at seven. Notably, Allison Janney also joined this tie on the same night, earning her eighth career Emmy for her supporting role in ‘The Diplomat.’

Smart’s journey to eight began long before ‘Hacks’ came into existence. She previously won for guest-starring on ‘Frasier’ in 2000 and 2001, and added a third trophy for her supporting role on ‘Samantha Who?’ in 2008, well before Deborah Vance became her signature character.

This year’s category was highly competitive, with Smart facing off against Quinta Brunson for ‘Abbott Elementary,’ Ayo Edebiri for ‘The Bear,’ Elle Fanning for ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles,’ and Lisa Kudrow for ‘The Comeback.’ When Zendaya announced her name, Smart received a standing ovation as she made her way to the stage.

Screenshot 2026 05 25 at 19 28 30 Hacks Rotten Tomatoes

Staying true to Deborah Vance’s comedic nature, Smart turned her acceptance moment into a humorous bit. “Just the men stay standing. The girls get to sit down,” she joked, as reported by Variety, before further riffing about Spanx, corsets, and shoes that “are cutting your toes off.”

She concluded her speech on a heartfelt note, dedicating the win to the show’s creative team. “It all begins and ends with them,” she said of ‘Hacks’ creators Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs, the trio who developed Deborah Vance alongside her.

The series leaves behind a significant legacy at the Emmys, including a surprise Best Comedy win in its third season over reigning champion ‘The Bear.’ With ‘Hacks’ now concluded on its own terms, Smart’s flawless run stands as one of the most remarkable individual achievements in the category’s history.

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