At a Glance
- Jean Smart, 74, won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy at the 2026 Golden Globes
- George Clooney, 64, helped her to the stage during the Jan. 11 ceremony at The Beverly Hilton
- Fellow nominees included Kristen Bell, Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Natasha Lyonne, and Jenna Ortega
- Why it matters: Smart’s victory cements Hacks as a dominant force in comedy television and highlights her acclaimed portrayal of veteran comedian Deborah Vance
Jean Smart claimed her third Golden Globe for portraying razor-sharp comedian Deborah Vance in HBO Max’s Hacks, extending the 74-year-old actress’s winning streak at the Jan. 11 ceremony.
Star-Studded Assist
Best Actor nominee George Clooney escorted Smart to the podium after her name was announced, prompting laughter when she quipped, “What can I say? I’m a greedy bitch.” The moment underscored both Hollywood reverence for Smart and her reputation for unfiltered acceptance speeches.
Smart thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, calling herself “one of the luckiest people in this entire business” and praising her creative team.
> “I have the best bosses, I have the best show runners. I have the best cast, led by the brilliant Hannah Einbinder,” she said. “This show has been such an incredible journey.”
She closed with a call for civic responsibility, urging viewers to “do the right thing” without elaborating on stage.
Red-Carpet Warning
Earlier, Smart told Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier that the nation is at a “turning point” and urged citizens to “keep their heads” amid turmoil.
> “It’s going to take a lot of courage and concerns, but I think that’s important,” she said.
Battle of the Comedies
Smart topped a competitive field:
- Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
- Ayo Edebiri – The Bear (FX)
- Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
- Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face (Peacock)
- Jenna Ortega – Wednesday (Netflix)
Bell, 45, stars as Joanne, an agnostic sex podcaster who falls for a rabbi, navigating cultural divides. Edebiri, 30, plays ambitious chef Sydney, transforming a sandwich shop into a fine-dining hotspot. Gomez, 33, portrays Mabel, a true-crime-obsessed tenant solving murders with Steve Martin and Martin Short. Lyonne, 46, uses an uncanny lie-detection talent to solve murders on the road. Ortega, as Wednesday Addams, uncovers supernatural mysteries at Nevermore Academy.
Show Future
Hacks has already been renewed for a fifth season on HBO. Poker Face will not return for a third season, Peacock confirmed in November. Netflix has ordered a third season of Wednesday following its sophomore run.
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
