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2026 Emmys: Jean Smart Makes History as Winners Are Revealed
The 2026 Emmy Awards honored television shows and actors in Los Angeles.
Jean Smart won another award for playing a lead character in “Hacks.”
It was her fifth win for the show in a row.
Her eight acting Emmys tie the record held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Allison Janney was also reported to have reached eight acting wins.
“The Pitt” received the most nominations.
“The Traitors” won the reality competition award.
The reports list different winning categories and shows for Matthew Rhys.
Jean Smart won her fifth consecutive Emmy for lead actress in a comedy for “Hacks,” giving her eight acting Emmys overall.
Smart’s eighth win ties the performer record held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, while Allison Janney also joined that group.
“The Pitt” led nominations with 25, followed by “Hacks” with 24 and “Widow’s Bay” with 19.
Other reported winners included Noah Wyle, Rhea Seehorn, Tom Pelphrey, Allison Janney, Stephen Root, Kate O’Flynn and “The Traitors.”
The reports differ on Matthew Rhys: one lists him as winning lead actor for “The Beast in Me,” while another lists him for “Widow’s Bay” and “The Beast in Me.”
- Who
- Television actors, shows and programs were recognized, with Jean Smart among the main winners.
- What
- The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards announced winners across comedy, drama, limited-series, reality and variety categories.
- Where
- The ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles and aired from Los Angeles.
- When
- The ceremony took place in 2026; the reports describe the main ceremony as Monday night and say awards were spread across three nights.
- Why
- The awards recognized the year's reported best television performances and programs.
First Report
Second Report
Matthew Rhys’s reported wins
First Report
Lists Matthew Rhys as the lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie winner for “The Beast in Me.”
Second Report
Lists Matthew Rhys as the lead actor in a comedy series winner for “Widow’s Bay” and also lists him as the lead actor in a limited or anthology series winner for “The Beast in Me.”
Ceremony format
First Report
Describes 19 awards being handed out Monday, with additional winners announced the previous weekend.
Second Report
Describes the ceremony as spread across three nights, with categories announced the previous weekend and the main event airing live on NBC and Peacock.
Key facts
- Ceremony
- 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards
- Location
- Peacock Theater, downtown Los Angeles
- Host
- Mariska Hargitay
- Jean Smart
- Won lead actress in a comedy series for “Hacks”
- Smart’s acting wins
- Eight overall, tying Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Most nominations
- “The Pitt” led with 25, followed by “Hacks” with 24 and “Widow’s Bay” with 19
- Reality competition winner
- “The Traitors”
Sources
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