Quinta Brunson Wins Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy
Abbott Elementary‘s Quinta Brunson takes home an Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She is the first Black woman in over 40 years to win under this category.
On January 15, Brunson added another Emmy to her collection since debuting her sitcom Abbott Elementary. She received her award from none other than comedian icon Carol Burnett. Following the exchange, Brunson turned to the mic, overcome with emotion, as she delivered her acceptance speech.
Quinta Brunson gets emotional after winning ‘Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series’ at the #Emmys. pic.twitter.com/tZ6yWzPJqQ
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 16, 2024
“Thank you so much. I’m just, I don’t even know why I’m so emotional. I think like the Carol Burnett of it all,” Brunson begins teary-eyed with a small laugh at the end. “I love making Abbott Elementary so much. And I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy.”
She continues expressing her gratitude, “I said it every time, but I just love comedy so much. I am so happy to be able to get this. I didn’t prepare anything because I just didn’t think —” Brunson pauses in disbelief before thanking her family and cast. On Instagram, Brunson posted pictures of her with the Emmy, captioning it, “Speechless.”
Furthermore, Brunson is the second Black woman to win Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The first was Isabel Sanford in 1981 for her role in The Jeffersons. However, this is not the first time Brunson’s made Emmy history. In 2022, she became the “first Black woman to receive three comedic Emmy nominations,” winning her first award for Writing in a Comedy Series.
Audiences can stream the hit sitcom Abbott Elementary here. You can watch Quinta Brunson’s acceptance speech below.
