Arts & Entertainment

Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights In Photos: See Winners, Tearful Goodbyes, And The Taylor Swift Surprise

From Mariska Hargitay as host to a Taylor Swift's surprise cameo, see all the highlights from the 2026 Emmys below!

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Host Mariska Hargitay, center, performs during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Host Mariska Hargitay, center, performs during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES, CA — "The Pitt" and new comedy-horror series "Widow's Bay"cleaned up at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night, as television royalty Mariska Hargitay reigned as host. Hargitay, most known for her starring role in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” revealed that she was the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, as she recruited her besties Taylor Swift and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to cameo in pre-taped sketches.

Jean Smart made Emmys' history winning her fifth straight Emmy for “Hacks” while Matthew Rhys became the first man ever to win two leading actor categories in the same year for “The Beast in Me” and "Widow's Bay." "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," which was taken off the air by CBS, took home the top prize for best variety series.

The night was also filled with many tearful tributes to those who have passed this year, from Dolly Parton to Catherine O'Hara.

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See photos of all the standout moments from the 2026 Emmy Awards below!

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The 78th Emmys Best Moments

Host Mariska Hargitay speaks during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Meg Stalter, left, and Paul W. Downs arrive at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Reba McEntire performs "Appalachian Memories" in tribute to Dolly Parton during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Noah Wyle accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "The Pitt" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Matthew Rhys poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "The Beast In Me," and outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "Widow's Bay" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Jean Smart accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for "Hacks" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Macaulay Culkin, from left, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Macaulay Culkin, from left, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Macaulay Culkin, from left, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Katie Dippold, in front, and the team from "Widow's Bay" accept the award for outstanding comedy series during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Woody Harrelson looks on from left. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Host Mariska Hargitay left, and Taylor Swift in a "Law and Order: SVU" skit during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Allison Janney, left, accepts the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for "The Diplomat" during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Emmy Rossum looks on from right. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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