Jean Smart’s 2026 Golden Globes Red Carpet Remarks

Key Takeaways

• Jean Smart won the award for Best Female Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes and used her platform to address the current political climate.
• Smart expressed her concerns about the state of the country and encouraged people to "do the right thing" and keep their heads during these tumultuous times.
• The actress acknowledged that some people may find it annoying when actors discuss politics during awards shows, but she felt it was her duty as a citizen and a mom to speak out.
• Other celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes, also used the Golden Globes as an opportunity to bring attention to social and political issues, such as the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good by an ICE agent.

Introduction to Jean Smart’s Speech
Jean Smart kept her Golden Globes acceptance speech light on Sunday night, but she had already made her thoughts on the current political climate known earlier in the evening. After winning the award for Best Female Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy for her role in the HBO comedy series Hacks, Smart mentioned that she had given a "rant on the red carpet" and didn’t want to elaborate further. Instead, she encouraged everyone to "do the right thing" and implied that she believed people inherently know what the right thing is. This sentiment was a culmination of her thoughts on the state of the country, which she had expressed in interviews on the red carpet.

Jean Smart’s Red Carpet Interviews
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Smart discussed the upcoming fifth season of Hacks, but couldn’t help but express her concerns about the current state of the country. She felt that everything was being overshadowed by the political climate and that the country was at a turning point. Smart emphasized the importance of keeping one’s head and exercising courage and restraint during these tumultuous times. She also acknowledged that there are entities that would like to provoke people into fighting back, which she found concerning. Smart made it clear that she understood some people might not want actors to use their platform to discuss politics, but she couldn’t keep quiet about the injustices she was seeing.

Jean Smart’s Fears for the Country’s Future
In another interview on the red carpet, this time with Variety, Smart opened up more about her fears for the country’s future. She expressed that she was not as optimistic as she used to be and felt that the country was at a moment of reckoning. Smart hoped that people would realize the importance of the current situation and do the right thing. She emphasized that she didn’t believe her opinion mattered more than anyone else’s, but rather that she felt a responsibility to share her feelings and encourage others to do the same. Smart’s comments were a call to action, urging people to take a stand and make their voices heard.

The Golden Globes Ceremony
At the Golden Globes ceremony, Smart beat out her fellow nominees, including Kristen Bell, Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Natasha Lyonne, and Jenna Ortega. In her acceptance speech, Smart began by jokingly referring to herself as a "greedy bitch" for winning the award for the third time. She expressed her gratitude and acknowledged that she was one of the luckiest people in the industry. Smart’s speech was a celebration of her win, but also a reminder of the importance of using one’s platform to bring attention to social and political issues.

Other Celebrities Using Their Platform
Smart was not the only celebrity to use the Golden Globes as an opportunity to bring attention to social and political issues. Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and others wore pins reading "Be Good" as a tribute to Renee Macklin Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7 in Minneapolis. The campaign was endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union and was organized by entertainment industry professionals with support from various organizations. Wanda Sykes told Variety that the pin was a symbol of solidarity and a call to action, urging people to speak out against the rogue government and its treatment of certain groups. The Golden Globes ceremony was a reminder that celebrities can use their platform to bring attention to important issues and inspire change.

Conclusion
Jean Smart’s speech at the Golden Globes was a powerful reminder of the importance of using one’s platform to bring attention to social and political issues. Her comments on the red carpet and during her acceptance speech were a call to action, urging people to do the right thing and stand up for what they believe in. The Golden Globes ceremony was a celebration of the entertainment industry, but it was also a reminder of the impact that celebrities can have on the world. As Smart and other celebrities continue to use their platform to bring attention to important issues, they inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of change.