Sally Field Wins Fourth Emmy, Sets Age Record

Sally Field, 79, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 2026 Emmy Awards on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for playing Tova Sullivan in Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures. She became the oldest winner in the category, surpassing Jessica Tandy, who won for Foxfire in 1987. It was her fourth Emmy from 10 nominations after wins for Sybil (1977), ER (2001), and Brothers & Sisters (2007). She holds two Academy Awards for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart. Field reacted with surprise, saying this was not supposed to happen and she had to talk quickly. She thanked director Olivia Newman, author Shelby Van Pelt, co-stars Lewis Pullman and Alfred Molina, and artists behind octopus Marcellus. She said she had been grateful and proud to be part of the arts for 62 years or something, that with art voices, diversity, and unique storytelling matter, and that those voices cannot be silenced or compromised or merged. Left-rated coverage framed that line as referring to a proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. She called Dolly Parton an angel who was genuine, humble, supportive, and blisteringly funny. Mariska Hargitay hosted, the first woman in 15 years. Other nominees were Carey Mulligan, Sarah Pidgeon, Sarah Snook, and Claire Danes.