82nd Golden Globes: Jean Smart bags the best actress award in a comedy series

Jean Smart, the talented actress who's got everyone talking about her role as Deborah Vance on Hacks, has scored a big win for a second time at the Golden Globes! She took home the award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical Series, which happened at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes on January 5, 2025.

The event was held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, and boy did she shine! This win is about her fantastic work in the show's third season on HBO Max. When she went up on stage to accept her award, she had everyone cracking up in the crowd who loved her speech:

“I never thought I’d be so happy to be called a hack.”

Jean expressed her thanks to HBO Max, the whole crew, and especially her co-stars, giving a shout-out to Hannah Einbinder, who plays Ava, the character who’s her foil on the show.

“Without Ava, there would be no Deborah,” Smart remarked.

Her win was one of the big moments of the night, and it wasn’t just her—Hacks won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy Series.

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Jean Smart earns major praise after Hacks' Golden Globe win

Jean Smart's performance as Deborah Vance, an experienced stand-up comic dealing with the shifting landscape of showbiz, has made her a big deal in the TV industry. At 73, she's been getting a ton of praise and has even won an Emmy award for the first season of Hacks.

Back in 2024, she talked to The Hollywood Reporter and said:

“When I read the script, I said, ‘This is everything I could possibly want for my next job.’"

Without any background in stand-up comedy, Smart threw herself into the part. She worked hard to make sure her performance felt genuine to the audience and actual comedians. In playing her character, she did a great job mixing jokes with real emotional moments.

Her co-creator on Hacks, Paul W. Downs, raved about how well she pulled it off, saying she got the ups and downs her character goes through:

“Jean elevates every scene she’s in. She’s the heart and soul of this show.”

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What makes Hacks a standout in the comedy category?

Besides Smart’s well-deserved award, the show Hacks also scored big at the Golden Globes. It snagged the title of Best Musical or Comedy Series, which was no small feat with shows like Abbott Elementary, The Bear, The Gentlemen, Nobody Wants This, and Only Murders in the Building, giving it a run for its money.

When Downs got up on stage to accept the prize, he didn’t miss a beat to highlight that this win was all thanks to the team effort put into the show. He gave a shout-out to the cast, crew, and writers for their hard work:

“We are so lucky to get to tell this story.”

While they're busy making Hacks Season 4 right now, Downs had a little joke for us, saying not to go too wild with the partying, because they've still got a lot to do.

“If Jean Smart asks you for a shot, please do not give it to her. Kate Winslet, I’m looking at you!”

This show has hooked people with its witty conversations and the portrayal of the special bonds between teachers and students, as well as the differences between young and old folks, and how everyone learns and changes.

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Catch Hacks and the Golden Globe-winning performance by Jean Smart on HBO Max, and Season 4 is coming out with new episodes soon!