After six decades in show business, Jean Smart is finally cementing her “star” status.
The 70-year-old actress became the youngest legend to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony filled with laughter and tears.
The leggy blonde arrived in a demure black and white plaid dress with a black belt and balloon hem.
Certified star: Jean Smart received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in an emotional ceremony on Monday
She wore black pumps, simple pearl earrings and a pendant, and kept her makeup natural with a touch of pink lipstick.
The four-time Emmy winner was honored for her on-screen achievements, but those who spoke at the ceremony shared stories about the woman behind the camera.
According to her friends and co-stars, she’s nothing like the badass Deborah Vance, who she plays on the award-winning series Hacks.
Old friends: She was joined at the ceremony by her longtime friend, actor Joe Mantegna, who stepped in when Designing Women writer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason was unable to attend
Emotional day: Both Jean and Joe got emotional while discussing the death in 2021 of actor Richard Gilliland, to whom the actress was married for 34 years
Bittersweet: The Hacks star quietly wiped away tears as actor Joe Mantegna described his lifelong friendship with her and her late husband. The Godfather III actor was best man at the couple’s 1987 wedding
Design Women writer and executive producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason was scheduled to speak but was unable to attend. She sent a message which was read by Jean’s friend, actor Joe Mantegna.
In her statement, Bloodworth-Thomason called the actress “a girl’s big, hot fudge sundae, topped with Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Lucille Ball, or none of that at all.”
“This shameless scene-stealer, this genius for hire and five alarm thespian fires, this one in a million chameleon who can make the ordinary seem normal and greatness to human size while soaring like a glorious meteorite into the firmament of Hollywood’s most legendary sky is rising stars, keep shining sweet Jean, keep shining.”
Tight pick: Hack’s co-star Hannah Einbinder got a few laughs when she appeared confused during her speech, realizing she was reading from a marriage vows file and not the Jean Star file
Me!: The funny lady joked, “It’s a big day for me too because Jean could have asked any co-star from her illustrious career and well I won! …you hear that Reese, you hear that Kate Winslet, suck it Shatner. It’s me!’
Thoughtful: The Designing Women star was praised for her thoughtfulness. Hacks co-star Hannah Einbinder revealed, “I’m blown away by the rarity of someone so talented who is so kind.”
The ‘Criminal Minds’ star has spoken of herself as having met the 1.75 meter beauty while she was dating her husband-to-be Richard Gilliland, whom she met on the set of ‘Designing Women’ and died in March 2021 of heart disease at the age of 71.
“Jean earned this star for her achievements as an actress,” explained Joe, “but the story behind the star is that she must be equally honored for what she was as the beloved wife of my dearest friend, as an amazing mother, of two wonderful ones children and a loving, generous and compassionate friend to all of us who know and love her.’
In a shaky voice, the Tony Award winner added: “And I won’t be ashamed to be Italian and shed a few tears.”
Proud mother: The Watchmen star is a mother to two sons, Connor, 32, and Forrest, 13, whom she shared with her late husband, Richard Gilliland
TV Family: Members of the Hack TV family made sure to show their support, featuring Johnny Sibilly, Hannah Einbinder, Jean Smart, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald and Paul W. Downs
It was up to Hack’s co-star Hannah Einbinder to replace the tears with laughter as she appeared confused during her speech, realizing she was reading from a marriage vows file and not the Jean Star file.
After the “mix-up,” she claimed, “It’s obviously a big day for Jean, I mean selfishly it’s a big day for me too because Jean could have asked any co-star from her illustrious career and well, I won.” . I have won! I’m the co-star. You hear Reese (Witherspoon), you hear Kate Winslet, suck (William) Shatner. It’s me!’
The actress also described her co-star as more than her many roles: “Her humor comes from the light in her soul, not the darkness. It doesn’t come from their ego, but from their desire to make others feel good. I can’t tell you how rare that is.”
TV Family: Hacks co-stars Johnny Sibilly and Christopher McDonald were there for the big day
Speaking about life on the Hacks set, she shared, “Whenever we’re shooting between takes scenes where Deborah is doing standup, Jean is riffing, she’s doing parts, she’s talking to the backing cast that’s sitting in the audience because she knows it’s hard work and she wants them to have fun. I am struck by the rarity of someone so talented who is equally kind.
The guest of honor kept her remarks short, thanking those who had helped her career along the way and thanking those who “jumped through Covid hoops” to attend.
Joining her at the unveiling were Hacks co-stars Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald and Johnny Sibilly, along with their children Connor, 32, and Forrest, 13.
Thank you: The guest of honor kept her remarks short, thanking those who had helped her career along the way and thanking those who had ‘jumped through Covid hoops’ to attend
The Mare of Easttown actress holds a rare place in television history, being the only actress, aside from the late Betty White, to have won an Emmy in the Comedy Lead, Supporting Actor and Guest categories.
A Designing Women film is in the works and former Charlene Frazier has said she would “kill to play a role like that again”.
The second season of Hacks premieres May 12 on HBO.
More to come: The second season of Hacks debuts May 12 on HBO