'Abbott Elementary' star Quinta Brunson cries in emotional Emmy speech: 'Wow'

Quinta Brunson couldn't hide her emotions at the Emmys Awards.

Brunson won the Emmy on Monday for best lead actress in a comedy series for ABC's "Abbott Elementary," an award presented to her by television legend Carol Burnett. As she began to speak, Brunson's voice trembled as she was visibly overwhelmed by her win.

"Wow," Brunson said. "Thank you so much. I don't even know why I'm so emotional. I think, like, the Carol Burnett of it all."

Brunson wiped away tears as she said she loves making "Abbott Elementary" "so much" and is "so happy" to "live my dream and act out comedy." She added, "I say that every time, but I just love comedy so much that I am so happy to be able to get this."

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After noting that she didn't prepare any remarks, Brunson took a deep breath so that she could get through the rest of the speech. She closed by thanking her parents, sisters, brothers, husband, and cast. "I love 'Abbott Elementary,'" she concluded. "Thank you so much."

Brunson became the first Black woman to win the lead comedy actress Emmy award since Isabel Sanford for "The Jeffersons" in 1981.

This was Brunson's first win in the lead actress Emmy category. She was previously nominated for lead actress in a comedy for the first season of "Abbott Elementary" but lost to Jean Smart from "Hacks," who is not in contention this year. But Brunson had previously won an Emmy for writing the pilot episode of "Abbott Elementary," which follows a group of teachers in an elementary school.

Burnett smiled on from the corner of the stage as Brunson delivered her acceptance speech. The "Carol Burnett Show" star's presence tied into the Emmys' theme of celebrating 75 years of television history. The 90-year-old earned a huge laugh after reflecting on how much progress has been made since she started in comedy before quipping, "It truly warms my heart to see how well men are doing in comedy now."

Later in the broadcast, Brunson returned to the stage to present an Emmy with another television legend: "The Jeffersons" star Marla Gibbs. Brunson said she was "so honored" to be sharing the stage with her.