At the 2023 Emmy Awards, a night especially dedicated to celebrating the history of television, Quinta Brunson’s early win evoked a milestone set more than 40 years ago.
After earning the statuette for comedy series writing last year, the Abbott Elementary star won for best actress in a comedy series. The first and heretofore only Black winner in the category was Isabel Sanford, winning for her role in Norman Lear’s classic The Jeffersons in 1981.
Brunson’s win also puts her in the company of Tina Fey and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Emmy-winning actresses who created and wrote for their own shows.
She is the first Black woman to do so; Issa Rae was three times in the running for the feat, but Insecure ended before she could secure a win.
Brunson was also nominated this year for comedy guest actress (the win went to Judith Light for Poker Face) and as an executive producer for best comedy series nominee Abbott Elementary.
“I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy,” said a flustered and somewhat hoarse Brunson, her voice cracking. “I love my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my entire family so much. I love my husband. I love my cast. I love Abbott Elementary. Thank you so much.”
