Top 5 Emmy acceptance speeches: Richard Gadd, Jean Smart …
The 76th Emmy Awards are officially in the history books. The ceremony provided great honors, funny presenters and, as usual, some incredible acceptance speeches. The 2024 winners were full of gratitude, humor, occasional humility and deep emotion. Here’s a look at the five best speeches at the Emmys 2024. Which one was your favorite? Vote in our poll and sound off in the comments section below.
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Best Limited Series, Best Movie/Limited Writing, Best Movie/Limited Actor: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”
Nobody made a bigger splash at this year’s ceremony than Gadd, who took home three awards for his semi-autobiographical Netflix limited series. “This is the stuff of dreams,” he uttered as he accepted his first award, and the memorable quotes kept coming. He revealed that 10 years ago he was “down and out” and never thought he’d get his life together. He encouraged everyone going through a difficult time, “Nothing lasts forever. No matter how bad it gets, it always gets better. Keep going, and I promise you, things will be okay.” After winning Best Actor he shared more sage advice from his parents: “Follow your heart and the rest will fall into place.”
Best Comedy Actress: Jean Smart, “Hacks”
“I appreciate this because I don’t get enough attention,” Smart joked as she snagged her third trophy for playing Deborah Vance in the Max comedy series. After thanking the showrunners and crew, the actress paid tribute to her agent of over 30 years, Scott Henderson, who will retire this year. She revealed the “most amazing, supportive, cultured, tasteful, funny, kind, loving man” will bicycle through France. “That’s better than representing me?” she asked, before telling the audience who gave her a standing ovation, “I love you all.”
Best Comedy Supporting Actress: Liza Colon-Zayas, “The Bear”
The long-shot winner for Best Comedy Supporting Actress was genuinely shocked to take home her trophy for the FX series. She didn’t write a speech, admitting, “I didn’t think it would be possible.” She was noticeably shaken as she looked out at her fellow nominees, which included legendary actresses Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett. Colon-Zayas spoke directly to Latinas watching from home, “Keep believing and vote! Vote for your rights.”
Best Limited Series Supporting Actor: Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”
The most shocking upset of the night belonged to Morris, who was ranked last in our overall Gold Derby odds. As he walked up on stage to accept the Emmy, his beaming smile instantly charmed the audience. Morris got a little tongue-tied when thanking his mother, who he called his “biggest champion ever since I came out of, I dropped out of her…her butt. I know where babies come from.” As the crowd chuckled he turned his attention towards his daughter, joking, “I told you I would do it, you’ve always doubted me. I’m your hero, I’m your leader.” He went on to thank the cast of “Fargo” and admit he had a poster of fellow nominee, Robert Downey Jr., in his house.
2024 Governors Award: Greg Berlanti
Berlanti took home this special honor for his 20-plus years contributing to change-making shows like “Dawson’s Creek,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Arrow,” “Supergirl,” “You,” “The Flash,” “Riverdale,” “All American” and dozens more. During his emotional speech he talked about being “a closeted gay kid” who didn’t see many people like him on TV. He added humor, stating, “Back then, the only way to tell if another kid might be gay was if he also watched ‘Dynasty,’ ‘Dallas’ and could name all four of ‘The Golden Girls.'” Next, Berlanti shared personal stories from his childhood, and how he grew up idolizing Jim Henson. In one of his most heartfelt moments, Berlanti states, “When I think about how much the world has changed to make the life I’m living now possible, even in hindsight, it’s unimaginable to me.” He credits his mother, who passed away from cancer, for believing in him and instilling in him the strength he has today.
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