Hannah Einbinder stole the spotlight at the Emmys on Sunday night when she picked up the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in HBO Max’s Hacks. Her acceptance speech went a little over time, but it was packed with gratitude and bold remarks that quickly made headlines.
In her speech, Einbinder expressed admiration for her co-star, saying, “Jean Smart is like the sun, and I just get to stand in her light.” She also thanked the cast and crew before closing with a fiery message: “I’ll cover the extra time, sorry. And finally—Go Birds, F*** ICE, and Free Palestine.”
Her reference to paying up was a nod to host Nate Bargatze’s fundraiser, which requires winners who exceed their speaking time to donate to the Boys and Girls Club. Einbinder’s runover is expected to cost about $10,000, tied directly to her outspoken words about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and her support for a free Palestine. The audience erupted in cheers, and soon after, supporters even launched a GoFundMe to back her up.
She wasn’t the only star to speak out that evening. Javier Bardem arrived wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh and used his time on the red carpet to condemn what he called “genocide in Gaza.” Meanwhile, Einbinder’s Hacks co-star Megan Stalter emphasized that artists should use their visibility to shed light on important global issues.
“How many hundreds of thousands of children need to die before people pay attention?” Bardem told USA Today, sparking even more discussion.
The evening also brought a major update for fans of Hacks. It was confirmed the acclaimed comedy will wrap after five seasons. Einbinder explained that the decision was about ending the story while it still felt strong, with season four having aired earlier this spring on HBO Max.
This Emmy marks Einbinder’s first win after four nominations for her role as Ava Daniels. Earlier in the ceremony, Jean Smart also took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, making it a big night for the Hacks team.
Einbinder’s victory came against a stacked group of nominees: Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear), Kathryn Hahn (The Studio), Janelle James (Abbott Elementary), Catherine O’Hara (The Studio), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary), and Jessica Williams (Shrinking).
