2021 Emmy winners — The best acceptance speech moments | Gallery

Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the best moments from the big winners’ acceptance speeches during the 2021 Emmys, starting with arguably the most adorable speech of the evening… “Jason [Sudeikis], you changed my life with this, and more importantly, my baby girl’s. I’m honestly so privileged to work with you. I really am. Oh my God, I’m giving a speech at the Emmys!” gushed “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham as she accepted the award for best supporting actress in a comedy series. “Juno Temple, I swear to God if I could break off one of [this Emmy statue’s] arms and give it to you because that’s what you are to me. There’s no Rebecca without Keeley, and if you ever leave my life, I’m going to stalk you,” she continued. “To my parents, who I nearly lost during the filming of this season, I’m so glad that you’re here to see this moment. And to my friends … I wouldn’t be up here without them — the normal people that help you run your life … you are the loves of my life and this single mum wouldn’t be standing here without you.”

Now keep reading for more of the best acceptance speech moments from the 2021 Emmys…

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“This show is about family. This show is about mentors and teachers. This show is about teammates. And I wouldn’t be here without those three things in my life. First off, I wanted to thank my folks, Dan and Kathy. I want to thank my sisters, Kristin and Lindsay. I want to thank my sisters that have been chosen through outside biology, Rachel. I want to thank my children, Otis and Daisy. … I want to thank folks at ‘SNL.’ I want to thank [‘Saturday Night Live’ creator] Lorne [Michaels], who went to go take a dump now. Perfect. He’s gonna get home, he’s gonna watch it — he loves watching the Emmys at home. It’s fine, it’s fine. Which home is the big question?” —Jason Sudeikis, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”

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“Before I say anything else, I have to acknowledge my late husband, Richard Gilliland, who passed away six months yesterday, and I would not be here without him, without his putting his career on the back burner so that I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I’ve had — and my two incredible, unselfish children, Connor and Forrest, who are both very courageous individuals in their own right — they put up with mommy commuting to Philadelphia and back.” –Jean Smart, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, “Hacks”

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“I just want to acknowledge my fellow nominees in this decade that has to be about women having each other’s backs: I support you, I salute you, I’m proud of all of you. ‘Mare of Easttown,’ it was this culture moment and it brought people together and gave them something to talk about other than a global pandemic, and I want to thank everyone for watching our show. … [Thank you to] my children — Mia, Joe and Bear — the greatest people in the world, and my husband Ned [Edward Abel Smith], who I get to hold hands with for the rest of my life. Yes! I am the winner!” —Kate Winslet, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “Mare of Easttown”

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“I was very, very specifically told I’m not allowed to swear. … This cast makes me sick they’re so good. … Thank you for creating this show and for inviting me to be part of it. It has been one of the greatest honors, privileges and privileges. I just said that twice! But it’s a double privilege. It’s the most privileged privilege and pleasure of my life.” –Brett Goldstein, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”

“Mary [Elizabeth Winstead], I love you so much. I love you so much. We’ll take this home and show it to our new little boy, Laurie. And to my beautiful girls who I know are watching — Clara, Esther, Jamyan and Anouk — I said I would say hello to you too. So thank you so much everybody.” –Ewan McGregor, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “Halston”

“Thank you very much. I’d have put money on that not happening! … I’m gonna be very quick because I’m very teary as I wish my dad was here to see this. I lost my daddy during COVID and he would’ve loved all of this.” –Olivia Colman, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, “The Crown”

“I just wrote a little something for writers, really: Write the tale that scares you, that make you feel uncertain, that isn’t comfortable, I dare you. In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves and to in turn feel the need to be constantly visible — for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success — do not be afraid to disappear from it [and] from us for a while and see what comes to you in the silence. … I dedicate this story to every single survivor of sexual assault.” –Michaela Coel, Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “I May Destroy You”

“Kate Winslet, man you’re good at acting. But turns out that you’re good at caring for a whole production. You led all of us every step of the way with such care and intelligence and love. If you hadn’t called and asked if I wanted to join you in Philly, I’d have probably read the first two episodes, thought, ‘Nah, the priest did it,’ and stayed home. So I owe this to you and all the ladies out there in Philadelphia, in Kabul, in Texas or anywhere who are struggling sometimes, finding it hard to be happy sometimes, understanding that life can be a lot sometimes but never stopping, never losing hope, never giving up. To my husband and children, Iggy and Phoebe, none of this would mean anything without you cheering me on. I love you so much!” –Julianne Nicholson, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “Mare of Easttown”

“I gotta thank my mom and my dad for getting me out to L.A. [when I was a kid]. You guys were crazy for doing that, but we’re gonna drink tonight.” –Evan Peters, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “Mare of Easttown”

“I really want to dedicate this award to a woman who was my manager for 20 years … who believed in me when no one else would and believed I had talent when I didn’t even think that I had talent, who always advised me to take the high road, who was one of the best friends that I’ve ever had in my life and who wore the same dress five years running to every award show three times a year that we went to — slow fashion before anybody knew that it was cool. Connie, I love you — this is for you.” –Gillian Anderson, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, “The Crown”

“Thank you to my mum, my dad, my brothers [and] my beautiful girlfriend for putting up with the chaos of this career that I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of. And finally to my grandparents, my grandmother who passed a few months ago and my grandfather, Peter O’Connor, who hopefully watches this in the morning, your kindness and loyalty have been the greatest gift. Thank you so much” –Josh O’Connor, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, “The Crown”

“To us, this award represents the synergy between the mediums of television and theater — what a gift we can be to each other. What a gift you gave us! Last year when we were dark and dispersed, television provided the platform for us to come together to put on a show. On behalf of Lin-Manuel Miranda and all of the companies off-Broadway and on, we say to you, ‘Look around, look around!’ The curtains are going back up and the lights are coming back on. Thank you!” –Renée Elise Goldsberry (on behalf of Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller), Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), “Hamilton”

“I am trembling with gratitude and grace. I’m trying not to cry and [to] be equal to the situation because it’s been many years in the making. It’s taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time, a lot of courage and creativity and fight and faith to believe that I could keep going — and I have. And I brought a whole lot of people with me, so I want to say thank you for this glorious moment in the sun. … I have to share this honor with so many people, all the gypsies, the dancers, the choreographers, the prophets, the poets who are my inspiration, the crews who work behind the scenes invisibly but without whose craft there is no measure of real success, to everybody that’s given me the opportunity to become the Debbie Allen that can get things done. … Let this moment resonate with women across the world, across this country and across the world — from Texas to Afghanistan. Let them know. And also with young people who have no vote, who can’t even get a vaccine — they’re inheriting the world that we leave them. It is time for you to claim your power, claim your voice, sing your song, tell your stories, it will make us a better place. Your turn.” –Debbie Allen, Governor’s Award recipient

“Thank you. Wow, I haven’t met some of these people before. … These people behind me are absolutely — most of the people behind me — really deserve this Emmy right now. … I want to thank ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Last Week Tonight’ for not being in this category. … I also want to thank the greatest audience and the greatest partner I could ever have, my wife [Evelyn McGee-Colbert].” —Stephen Colbert (shared with Chris Licht, Tom Purcell, Jon Stewart, Tanya Michnevich, Barry Julien, Opus Moreschi, Denise C. Rehrig, Aaron Cohen, Paul Dinello, Emily Gertler, Jay Katsir, Matt Lappin, Bjoern C. Stejskal, Sara Vilkomerson, Ballard C. Boyd, Michael Brumm, Gabe Gronli, Paige Kendig, Jake Plunkett and Adam Wager), Outstanding Variety Special, “Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020”

“Thanks to all of our wonderful children on our show from around the world. They are so gracious to tell their stories of courage and how to navigate this difficult life — even more difficult today. This is for you and for you kids out there watching: You have a tribe that is waiting for you. We are waiting for you, baby. Come on to Mama Ru!” –RuPaul (shared with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang, Michele Mills, Tim Palazzola, Thairin Smothers, John Polly, Zoe Jackson, Lisa Steele, Camilo Valdes, Michelle Visage, Alicia Gargaro-Magaña and Jen Passovoy), Outstanding Competition Program, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

“What I’d really like to say is that not a lot of women have won this award, so I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of some really extraordinary people, and I’m very grateful for the path that they’ve led. And I’d particularly like to pay tribute to my mum, who at 77 is still directing.” –Jessica Hobbs, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, “The Crown”

“I think like many of us in this room, I was kinda rooting for Conan, so this is bittersweet. Thank you so much, Conan, for 30 years of inspiring comedy writers. A ridiculous number. You’re the best! [The camera pans to Conan O’Brien looking dejected.] He’s fine, he’s fine! … I just want to say this is an award for late-night comedy. No one was funnier in the last 20 years than Norm McDonald on late night comedy, so if you have any time in the next week, do what I did and just spend time YouTubing clips of Norm and Conan because it just doesn’t get better than that.” –John Oliver (shared with Tim Carvell, Liz Stanton, Jeremy Tchaban, Christopher Werner, Laura L. Griffin, Kate Mullaney, Catherine Owens, Matt Passet, Marian Wang and Charles Wilson), Outstanding Variety Talk Series, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”

“Thank you so much. I should start off by saying this is not everyone who writes on the show. We were only allowed a small number to come, so the show sent the hottest writers, which I understand is kind of an oxymoron. … We would like to dedicate this award to Adam Driver. He knows what he did. And we know what we’d like him to do. Thank you.” –Chrissy Shackelford (shared with Johnathan Appel, Ali Barthwell, Tim Carvell, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Mark Kramer, Daniel O’Brien, John Oliver, Owen Parsons, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Ben Silva and Seena Vali), Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”

“‘Weekend Update’ has been part of ‘SNL’ for 46 seasons, and here I’d like to pay tribute to one of the best we ever had: Norm McDonald. Thank you.” –Lorne Michaels (shared with Steve Higgins, Ken Aymong, Lindsay Shookus, Erin Doyle, Tom Broecker, Caroline Maroney, Erik Kenward and NBC), Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, “Saturday Night Live”

“I’m very proud. I’m very grateful. We’re gonna party. Goodnight!” –Peter Morgan, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, “The Crown”

“Thank you to one or two people not here because we start shooting in a couple of hours. … We’re gonna party now! I’m lost for words and I’m very, very grateful.” –Peter Morgan (shared with Suzanne Mackie, Stephen Daldry, Andy Harries, Benjamin Caron, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert Fox, Michael Casey, Andy Stebbing, Martin Harrison and Oona O’Beirn), Outstanding Drama Series, “The Crown”

“We wanted to make a show that honors anybody who struggled to tell their stories — especially women who never got to tell their story at all because the world wasn’t listening. Wow, this is insane. … For those women aforementioned, this is for them.” –Lucia Aniello (shared with Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs), Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, “Hacks”

“Thank you to my parents, to my friends, to my co-creators Jen [Statsky] — I love you — to Paul [W. Downs], I’m in love with you, which is why I married you last weekend. I would love to just say my vows again.” –Lucia Aniello, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, “Hacks”

“As we all know, a film crew is a family born out of a shotgun wedding, and it was an honor to be included in this family. I wish I could stand up here and mention every single one of you, but I’d need a lot more time — and that’s why God created IMDb. As for my other family, the people who at the end of the day actually have to live with me, thank you for always challenging me to be a better person — truly, it’s a low bar.” –Scott Frank, Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “The Queen’s Gambit”

“The biggest thank you from this group is to the people that watch. I really think I can speak for everybody here when I say we all know how lucky we are to do this for a living and we appreciate you.” –Bill Lawrence (shared with Jason Sudeikis, Jeff Ingold, Bill Wrubel, Liza Katzer, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, Kip Kroeger, Brendan Hunt, Tina Pawlik and Joe Kelly), Outstanding Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”

“The one thing that no algorithm can predict and no billion-dollar budget can manufacture is word of mouth. This award is for the fans who told their friends who became fans who told their friends, ‘Dude, you gotta watch the orphan girl chess drama.’ … Anya Taylor-Joy, you brought the sexy back to chess and you inspired a whole generation of girls and young women to realize the patriarchy simply has no defense against our queens.” –William Horberg (shared with Allan Scott, Scott Frank, Mick Aniceto and Marcus Loges), Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, “The Queen’s Gambit”