The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards could be a historic night for Jean Smart, Zendaya, Quinta Brunson, and several other television stars.
More than 25 Emmy records could be broken during the Sept. 14 ceremony, according to data compiled by ActionNetwork.com. The possibilities range from Smart tying the record for the most acting Emmys ever won by a performer to Brunson and Zendaya setting new milestones in their respective categories.
Smart enters the ceremony with seven acting Emmys and is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks. A win would give her eight, tying Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the all-time record.
Smart could make history in another way. She has won the lead comedy actress Emmy for each of the first four seasons of Hacks. Another victory would make her the first performer to go a perfect five-for-five in the category for every season of a show.
Alison Janney could also reach eight career acting Emmys. The Diplomat star already has seven wins, including four for The West Wing, two for Mom, and one for Masters of Sex. She is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Brunson has a chance to make history with Abbott Elementary. She could become the first Black actress to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series twice. Brunson first won the award in 2023, becoming the first Black actress to take the category since Isabel Sanford in 1981.
Zendaya could reach two milestones with Euphoria. The 30-year-old could become the youngest actress to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series three times and the first Black actress to win the category three times. Zendaya became the category’s youngest winner when she took home her first Emmy at age 24 in 2020.
Age records could also fall in several categories. Martin Short, 76, could become the oldest winner of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building. Eugene Levy currently holds the record after winning at 73 for Schitt’s Creek in 2020.
Harrison Ford, 84, could similarly become the oldest winner of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Shrinking. Stephen Root, 74, is also in position to break the existing record, set when Henry Winkler won for Barry at 72.
Sally Field could make history at 79 with Remarkably Bright Creatures. A victory would make her the oldest winner of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie, surpassing legendary Jessica Tandy.
Several nominees could also achieve historic firsts. Matthew Rhys could become the first Welsh actor to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay. Colman Domingo could become the first Afro-Latino actor to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Four Seasons, while Jack Lowden could become the first Scottish actor to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Slow Horses.
Widow’s Bay has an opportunity to make history beyond its acting nominations. The comedy already collected eight Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremony and has seven more nominations heading into the Primetime ceremony. It could surpass The Studio, which set the record for the most Emmy wins by a comedy in a single year with 13 in 2025. It could also set a new mark for the most wins by a comedy in its first season.
Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live could add to its standing as the most awarded program in Emmy history. Including its specials, the series has won 114 Emmys and could reach 115 with a victory for Outstanding Variety Series.
Two records have already been set at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys. Mariska Hargitay became the first person to win Emmys for acting, directing, and producing a documentary after collecting two awards for My Mum Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay. Julie Andrews, meanwhile, became the oldest woman to win a Primetime Emmy at 90 years and 11 months with her victory for Bridgerton.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and stream on Peacock.
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