17 of Our Favorite Emmys Acceptance Speeches of All Time

Ah, theEmmys: The glitz, glamour and, of course, acceptance speeches.

While every speech is filled with humor, gratitude and alotof emotion, there are some speeches that stand above the rest — here are some of our favorites.

2004: Sarah Jessica Parker, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

WatchingSarah Jessica Parkeraccept her long-awaited Emmy for the final season ofSex and the Cityis like taking a trip back in time. A smilingJennifer Aniston, who was nominated forFriends, sat in the crowd. Onstage, the original two ofTwo and a Half Men,Jon CryerandCharlie Sheen, presented. However, the best part comes after SJP is announced as the winner — as she kissed herSATCcostars one last time, marking the end of an era — that made the speech all the more special.

2004: Meryl Streep, Lead Actress in a Limited Series

With over 250 award nominations and upwards of 160 wins, there’s no denying thatMeryl Streepis one of Hollywood’s reigning queens. When she took the stage at the 2004 Emmys to accept the trophy for her role on HBO’s miniseries adaptation ofAngels in America, she came out with a line that would become an iconic one for the show: “You know, there are some days when I myself think I’m overrated. But not today!”

2006: Greg Garcia, Writing for a Comedy Series

2009: Kristin Chenoweth, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Acceptance speeches can get routine, especially when the winner has a collection of statuettes at home. However, that was not the case withKristin Chenoweth! ThePushing Daisiesactress was so surprised when she won the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series that she couldn’t help but burst into tears. Even better, she quickly gave her speech a (hilarious) lighthearted spin, offering herself up as a guest star onMad Men,24andThe OfficesincePushing Daisieshad been canceled.

2011: Melissa McCarthy, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Audiences watchingMelissa McCarthywin the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series were treated to a little pageantry and alotof emotion. Bucking convention, theMike & Mollystar and her fellow nominees lined up hand-in-hand onstage,Miss America-style. OnceRob LoweandSofía Vergaraannounced McCarthy as the winner, she was handed a bouquet of roses and a crown (as well as her gold statuette!).

The speech was funny and full of emotion, but itscrowningmoment was when she said, “I’m from Plainfield, Ill., and I’m standing here, and it’s kind of amazing.”

McCarthy is all of us, guys.

2013: Merritt Wever, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

No “get off the stage” music was needed here. WhenMerritt Wevertook home a trophy for her role onNurse Jackie, her speech redefined the meaning of “short and sweet.” It was so quick, in fact, that the entire thing fits here: “Thanks so much. Thank you so much! Um, I’ve got to go. Bye.”

2014: Aaron Paul, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

2014: Stephen Colbert, Variety Series

The Colbert Report’s 2014 win for outstanding variety series was all the sweeter, knowing it was the show’s penultimate season. However,Stephen Colbertwasn’t the one doling out thanks: Fellow nomineeJimmy Fallonstole the microphone to hand out accolades of his own, making for a hilarious interruption.

2012-2014: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

If you had to name a queen of the Emmys, the title could very well go to Louis-Dreyfus, who has been nominated for 26 Primetime Emmys, winning eight acting and three producing statuettes for three shows (Veep,The New Adventures of Old Christineand, of course,Seinfeld). Her appearances on the Emmys stage may be numerous, but the star still manages to keep things interesting each year.

At the 2012 awards, she “accidentally” started reading fromAmy Poehler’s speech notes, thanking NBC and the entire team over atParks and Recreation. The “flub” was realized early on and ended with Poehler rushing up to the stage to exchange notes. The speech only got more amusing when Louis-Dreyfus told the audience: “It’s a bit mystifying to me because people say this show is a comedy, but I don’t see anything funny about me being vice president of the United States.”

In 2013, herVeepcostarTony Halejoined her onstage — and in character — holding her clutch while she thanked everyone involved in the show, except for him.

Her acceptance speech in 2014 stole the show before she even hit the stage whenBreaking Badstar Cranston stopped her mid-walk with a kiss.

2015: Viola Davis, Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Viola Davismade history as the first Black American woman to win this award — forHow to Get Away with Murder—and used her time to passionatelyappeal for more roles for women of colorin Hollywood.

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” she said, acknowledging the work of fellow stars likeTaraji P. HensonandKerry Washington, who watched tearfully. “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”

2018: Glenn Weiss, Directing for a Variety Special

No one was going to call time on this one! WhenGlenn Weisswon for his work at the 90thAcademy Awards, he mentioned his mother, who had died two weeks prior.

“Mom always believed in finding the sunshine in things, and she adored my girlfriend, Jan,” he said of his girlfriend and date for the night, Jan Svendsen. “Jan, you are the sunshine in my life, and Mom was right: Don’t ever let go of your sunshine. You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend — because I want to call you my wife.”

Svendsen hit the stage, the crowd went crazy, and Weiss formally got down on one knee,proposing with the ringhis father had given his mother 67 years before. The couple eloped on Feb. 14, 2023.

2021: Michaela Coel, Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

WhenMichaela Coeltook the stage toaccept her first Emmyin 2021 for writing her hit HBO seriesI May Destroy You, she used her time to empower her fellow writers with poignant, courageous words.

“Write the tale that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that is uncomfortable. I dare you,” the actress opened her speech. “Do not be afraid to disappear from it, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.”

After a few heartfelt thank-yous, Coel closed her speech with another moving dedication: “I dedicate this award to every single survivor of sexual assault.”

2022: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Sheryl Lee Ralphwasn’t the only one in a pool of emotions when shewon an Emmy for outstanding supporting actressin a comedy series in 2022 forAbbott Elementary. As the entire room roared with a standing ovation from the crowd, the original Dreamgirl unleashed a mighty rendition of Dianne Reeves' 1993 song “Endangered Species.”

“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t wouldn’t couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like,” Ralph said. “This is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you.”

2024: Quinta Brunson, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Brunson couldn’t hold back her tears whenaccepting her second career EmmyforAbbott Elementary— and neither could we!

“Thank you so much. I love makingAbbott Elementaryso much, and I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy,” Brunson said in her speech. “I say this every time: I just love comedy so much that I am so happy to be able to get this.”

2024: Niecy Nash-Betts, Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

As if we haven’t cried enough already,Niecy Nash-Betts' spirited acceptance speech certainly kept the waterworks coming. After winning the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a limited anthology series or movie for her role onDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, the actress reminded the crowd of the importance of being your own biggest cheerleader.

After thanking show creatorRyan Murphy, costarEvan Petersand Netflix, the actress expressed gratitude for her wife,Jessica Betts.

“And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me. For believing in me and doing what they said I could not. And I want to say to myself, in front of all you beautiful people: “Go on, girl, with your bad self. You did that!”

source: people.com