During Sunday night's Emmy Awards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her fifth consecutive Emmy for playing Selina Meyer on the HBO comedy Veep. (She has eight trophies in total, so seeing her on stage is a pretty common thing these days.) It wasn't a surprise that her acceptance speech was hilarious, but it also included an extremely poignant tribute to her late father that had the audience in tears.
First, she took a moment to address this year's presidential election, which seems more and more like Veep every day. "I'd also like to take this opportunity to personally apologize for the current political climate," she said. "I think that Veep has torn down the wall between comedy and politics. Our show started out as a political satire, but now it feels more like a sobering documentary. So I certainly do promise to rebuild that wall and make Mexico pay for it."
Then, Louis-Dreyfus got emotional, paying tribute to her late father, William Louis-Dreyfus, who died on Friday at 84. "Lastly, I would like to dedicate this to my father, who passed away on Friday," she said. "And I'm so glad that he liked "Veep," because his opinion was the one that really mattered."
According to the Journal News, William Louis-Dreyfus was a billionaire businessman and art collector who grew up in Paris but moved to America after his mother divorced his father. Before his death, he donated his multimillion-dollar art collection to the Harlem Children's Zone nonprofit.
Watch her full speech below:
.@OfficialJLD @TheEmmys @VeepHBO @HBO All Hail the leader of the Veeples. 5 for 5 #EmmyAwards pic.twitter.com/9G17x23htqSeptember 19, 2016
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Gigi Hadid's Spring Outfit Ignores Every Seasonal Trend
Florals and pastels are nowhere to be found.
By India Roby Published
-
It’s Getting Increasingly More Serious Between Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
After last summer’s drama, we should apparently expect to see the couple be more and more out front and in the public eye.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Britney Spears Cryptically Says She Wants to Be Open About Her Struggles, But They’re “Too Offensive to Share”
“Nothing is what it seems sometimes!!!”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
'SATC' Star Evan Handler Says He'll "Welcome" Kim Cattrall's Return on His TV Set
She didn't see anyone while filming her cameo.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Everyone Wants Lindsay Lohan on Season 3 of 'White Lotus,' And It Could Actually Happen (If We're Lucky)
Please??????
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
An 'American Idol' Contestant Called Out Katy Perry for "Mom-Shaming" Her
She was really upset by the comment.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Jennifer Coolidge Addressed the Fan Campaign for Pamela Anderson to Play Her Sister on 'White Lotus'
She's a big fan, too.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published