At the Emmys
Goosebumps moment for MS sufferer Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate was supported by Emmy host Anthony Anderson at the start of her performance.
© imago/USA TODAY Network
Although Christina Applegate herself wasn’t allowed to receive an award, she stole the show from many a winner with her Emmy appearance.
At the 75th edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday evening (January 15), it wasn’t just the beaming winners who provided memorable moments. It was also an extremely emotional and charming performance Christina Applegate (52). The nominated actress (“Best Actress in a Comedy Series” for “Dead to Me”) had to admit defeat to her colleague Quinta Brunson (34, “Abbott Elementary”). She received her due applause as a laudator.
Applegate presented the category for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Supported by Emmy host Anthony Anderson (53) and with the help of a cane, the star, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, walked across the stage. To the sound of the theme song of their cult series “An Terribly Nice Family” – Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage” – the audience applauded thunderously and gave Applegate a standing ovation.
“It was an honor for me”
Applegate was visibly moved by this gesture, fighting back tears, but immediately knew how to lighten the situation with her humor: “Oh God, you’re completely embarrassing me with disabilities by standing up! But it’s okay.” Even when she mentions her character Kelly Bundy from “A Terribly Nice Family,” applause erupts again from the audience – to which Applegate replies, “You don’t have to applaud every time I do something.”
The 52-year-old already knew that Applegate wanted to retire from acting after the Netflix series “Dead to Me” and because of her MS illness indicated last year. At the Emmys, she reiterated this with the wording of her laudatory speech: “It was an honor for me to be able to play funny, flawed and versatile characters – like the women who are now nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy series.” She finally presented the award to “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri (28).
But her fans don’t have to say goodbye to Applegate completely. She also announced in May of last year that from now on she wanted to “keep her brain going” with synchronous work. Possibly in a planned animated spin-off of “A Terribly Nice Family”, in which Applegate could slip back into her role as Kelly “Dumbjaw” Bundy, at least linguistically.