Jean Smart Aims for Historic Emmy Sweep for 'Hacks'

Jean Smart is poised to make television history by potentially achieving an unprecedented feat at the Emmy Awards: winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for every eligible season of her critically acclaimed HBO Max series, "Hacks." Smart has already secured this prestigious award for the show's first three seasons, winning in 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2024. The series is currently eligible for its fourth season, which aired in 2025, placing Smart in a unique position to complete a full sweep.

This potential achievement would mark a significant milestone, as no woman has ever won an Emmy for every eligible season of her own series in the lead acting categories. The "Hacks" series, which premiered in May 2021, follows the professional and personal relationship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian, Deborah Vance (played by Smart), and a young, entitled writer, Ava Daniels. The show has garnered widespread critical praise for its sharp writing, compelling performances, and nuanced exploration of themes such as aging, career longevity, and the evolving landscape of comedy.

Smart's previous Emmy wins for "Hacks" were for the show's first season in 2021, its second season in 2022, and its third season in 2024. The eligibility period for the 2025 Emmy Awards covers the fourth season of "Hacks," which concluded its run in May 2025. If Smart is nominated and wins for this latest season, she will etch her name in Emmy history, becoming the first woman to achieve this level of consistent recognition for a single comedic role across all of a series' eligible years. The competition for the award is always fierce, but Smart's track record and the show's continued critical acclaim position her as a strong contender.

The Emmy Awards, officially known as the Primetime Emmy Awards, are presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to recognize excellence in American primetime television programming. Winning an Emmy is considered one of the highest honors in the television industry. For an actor to win in the same category for every eligible season of a series is exceptionally rare, highlighting the sustained quality of both the performance and the material. Smart's potential accomplishment underscores her exceptional talent and the enduring appeal of the character of Deborah Vance, a role that has allowed her to showcase a remarkable range of comedic and dramatic abilities.