Quinta Brunson Becomes the Second Black Woman in EMMY History to Win Best Lead Actress (Comedy)

Quinta Brunson, writer and leading star of ABC comedy ‘Abbott Elementary,’ had already made history  in 2022 when she became the third Black person overall (second Black woman) to win the outstanding comedy writing trophy.

This year, she saw her name penciled in the award show’s history books for yet another feat: Best Lead Actress win for the same genre.

Quinta Brunson just became the second Black actress in Emmys history to win Lead in the Comedy category, 42 years after Isabel Sanford won for The Jefferson. Icon!!!

Here’s her tearful speech: pic.twitter.com/x2eaV6oKKk

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 16, 2024

The 2023 EMMYs aired Monday night (January 15) and saw Brunson defeat Christina Applegate, Rachel Brosnahan, Natasha Lyonne, and Jenna Ortega for the Best Lead Actress for a Comedy for her portrayal of “Janine Teagues” in ‘Abbott.’

She joins the iconic Isabel Sanford (who portrayed “Louise Jefferson” in ‘The Jeffersons‘) as the only two Black women to own the trophy in the award show’s 75-year history.

See Quinta’s touching acceptance speech above and see the full list of the night’s winners here.