Jean Smart makes television history with record-breaking Emmy win for Hacks

Her Emmy collection has reached a very impressive number

The 74-year-old took home the prize for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at Monday night's 78th Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance in Hacks. 

It marks her fourth win for the HBO series, which came to an end with its fifth and final season in May after first launching in 2021.

The latest award takes Smart's Emmy total to eight, putting her alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman. 

Smart has also achieved something very few actors have managed at the ceremony as she is one of just two performers to win comedy awards across the lead, supporting and guest categories. 

She has received 15 nominations throughout her career. Her first Emmy came back in 2000, when she won for a guest appearance as Lorna Lenley on Frasier.

In Hacks, Smart plays veteran Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance, whose professional and personal relationship with younger writer Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder, drives the series.