Christina Applegate had to pause to collect herself as she took the stage at the Emmy Awards on Monday night.
The beloved actress received a standing ovation as she walked onto the Emmys stage — holding onto host Anthony Anderson and with the help of a cane — more than a year after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“You’re totally shaming me by standing up!” Applegate joked.
The actress was present to hand out the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, which was won by Ayo Edebiri for her role as Sydney in The Bear.
“I actually don’t need him here. He’s just really cute,” she later joked, referring to Anderson.
Applegate was among the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series this year, which was won by Quinta Brunson for her role in Abbott Elementary. Among the nominees were Rachel Brosnahan, Natasha Lyonne, and Jenna Ortega.
While onstage, she also introduced Carol Burnett, who took the stage to hand out the following award.
“This is a big one for me. I have only had one picture framed in my home. And it’s of this person and myself. I mean, all of you are very famous, but she’s more important to me than any of you. I’m so sorry. You’re really cool!” she said. “Anyway, Carol Burnett.”
“She forever changed variety television,” she added. “It was Carol, who broke new ground for all the shows that followed with sketches that have withstood the test of time. And now Oh, come on. Please welcome the legend who not only blazed the trail for me but for all of us.”
Back in June 2023, Applegate told Variety that her disease made it hard for her to act. “We don’t know what my future as an actress is going to be,” she said. “How can I handle it? How can I go onto a set and call the shots of what I need as far as my boundaries, physically?”
The 75th annual Emmys are airing live on Fox.
