BEST EMMY ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES
Betty White (1986)
In a field that included “The Golden Girls” castmates Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan, White won her third of five career Emmys for her portrayal of ditsy Miami retiree Rose Nylund, an honor for which she thanked NBC “for taking a chance on four old broa – uh, ladies.”
Sarah Jessica Parker (2004)
The normally cool and confident “Sex and the City” star was clearly out of sorts during her acceptance speech for her first lead actress Emmy honor, frenetically thanking anyone she could think of while a tearful co-star Kristin Davis looked on.
Meryl Streep (2005)
Streep won her second lead actress Emmy for “Angels in America” and demonstrated a few comedy/ improv chops in her acceptance speech, remarking that “there are some days when I myself think I’m overrated – but not today.” And she kept on talking even after the music piped up indicating it was time to wrap things up.
Ricky Gervais (2007)
Though this wasn’t an acceptance speech, ultra-dry Emmy host Gervais engaged in a faux-hostile stare down and more with Steve Carell, a nominee for lead actor for “The Office,” a role Gervais created in the original British series that the American version was based upon.
Ty Burrell (2011)
In his acceptance speech for his first “Modern Family” supporting actor award, Burrell delivered a touching tribute to his late father, who he imagined would be questioning why his son was in a job that required him to regularly wear makeup.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2012)
The “Veep” Emmy winner hilariously began her speech by thanking NBC and the crew of “Parks and Recreation” – before realizing she had “accidentally” swapped acceptance speeches with Amy Poehler during a hug on her walk up to the podium.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2013)
Emmy viewers were in on the joke as Louis-Dreyfus rattled off her thank yous for her second consecutive win, prompted by whispers in her ear from “Veep” co-star Tony Hale, who played her character’s personal aide and bag man Gary on the series.
Merritt Wever (2013)
And the award for shortest acceptance speech in Emmy history goes to the “Nurse Jackie” co-star for her succinct: “Thank you so much. I gotta go. Bye.