Jean Smart Pays emotional Homage to Late Husband at the Emmys
by Jaskiran Kaur | Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:10:54 GMT
Image Source: Deadline, myrepublica - Nagrik Network

Jean Smart gave an immensely sentimental acceptance speech after winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award at the Emmys. She honored her late husband, Richard Gilliland, in the emotional speech. 

The 70 years old actor won the title for her role in 'Hacks,' a comedy series by Lucia Aniello, who too won an Emmys, becoming the 5th women director in Emmys history to do so. Jean Smart was nominated for the award along with Kayle Cuoco for 'The Flight Attendant,' Tracee Ross for 'Brack-ish,' Aidy Bryant for 'Shrill,' and Allison Janney for 'Mom.'

Smarts hugged her fellow nominee of the same category, Kaley Cuoco, before heading over to the stage to accept her reward. She offered tribute to her late husband, whose 6 months death anniversary was just a day before the Emmys. 

"I have to acknowledge my late husband, who passed away six months ago yesterday. I would not be here without him, and without his, kind of, putting his career on the back burner so I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I have had," Smart said on the stage. 

Talking about her children, whom she called 'incredible' and 'courageous,' Smart had to say, "My two incredible children, Conner and Forest, who are both very courageous individuals in their own right.  [They] put up with mommy commuting from Philadelphia and back.”

Her beautiful eulogy for her husband and the sentiments in acceptance speech were strong enough to warrant a standing ovation from the star-studded Emmys guestlist. 

Image source: CBS

The celebrity couple, Smart and Gilliland, had been married since 1987, when they had tied the knot after dating for about a year or two. The loving duo had met on the set of 'Designing Women' and became inseparable ever since, remaining married for over 30 years. Gilliland played the role of J.D. Shackelford in the movie, being the love interest of Mary Jo Shively, played by Annie Potts. 

Gilliland and Smart also worked together on other films like '24,' 'Just my Imagination,' and 'Audrey's Rain.' The wedded couple soon welcomed their oldest son, Connor, to their doting household. Their second, Forrest, was adopted in 2009. 

Image source: CBS

Unfortunately, Gilliland succumbed to a brief fatal illness and died this year, aged 71. 

A few months into the death of her lifelong love, Smart had to shoot a funeral scene for 'Hacks.' She revealed that the part was difficult for her to shoot, and life overall will feel forever changed after her enormous loss.

In a June interview with The New Yorker, she said, “You know, I feel like I just should say something about my husband because he passed away very unexpectedly. I still had a week of Hacks left to do. That was hard. I had to do a funeral scene. It’s been really weird. It’s not anything I ever dreamed would happen. Not so soon. He made me laugh all the time. That’s going to be hard to live without.” 

Jean is living the best years of her career today, even at 70, and her Emmys win is a trailer of all the good that is to come!

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