Julia Louis-Dreyfus broke down in tears during the 2016 Emmys on Sunday, September 18, as she revealed that her father, William Louis-Dreyfus, died last week.
The Veep star, 55, spoke about her late dad while accepting her fifth consecutive Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy category.
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“I’d like to dedicate this to my father, William Louis-Dreyfus, who passed away on Friday,” she said, visibly shaking. “I’m so glad that he liked me, because his opinion was the one that really mattered."
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William was a charitable billionaire and donated his entire art collection to nonprofits for underprivileged children.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for “Veep” at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
The audience appeared touched by her dedication. Cameras captured Louis-Dreyfus’ husband, Brad Hall, and her former Seinfeld costar Jerry Seinfeld looking sympathetic.
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Prior to revealing her father’s death, the Enough Said actress, who often brainstorms humorous gags for her acceptance speeches, gave shout-outs to several other people on Sunday night.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and father William Louis-Dreyfus attend the Town & Country screening of the "Generosity of Eye" at Walter Reade Theater on May 27, 2014 in New York City. Mike Pont/FilmMagic
“[Producer] Dave Mandel, for letting me trick him into running the show. You're a miracle worker. And I'm forever grateful. I'd like to thank [producer] Frank Rich, who helped me trick Dave,” she said on stage at L.A.’s Microsoft Theater, appearing to shake even during the funny moments. “I’d like to thank the writers, cast and the best crew in television.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Hall arrive at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards. Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
She even took a jab at GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. “I’d like to personally apologize for the current political climate. I think that Veep has torn down the wall between comedy and politics. Our show started out as a political satire, but now seems like a documentary," she said. "So, I certainly do promise to rebuild that wall and make Mexico pay for it.”
Watch her moving Emmys speech in the video above.
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