Fans of Hacks got a special surprise when Rosie O’Donnell and Jean Smart reunited during the August 18 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
O’Donnell, who stepped in as interim host while Jimmy Kimmel was away, welcomed Smart to the stage for a conversation that quickly turned into a celebration of the acclaimed comedy series and its unforgettable run.
The reunion was especially fitting for Hacks viewers, as O’Donnell previously appeared as herself during Season 4 of the HBO Max comedy, overlapping with Deborah Vance’s fictional late-night television storyline.
Now sitting behind Kimmel’s desk, surrounded by her own signature decorations, O’Donnell looked back with Smart on the series that became one of television’s most praised comedies before concluding with its fifth and final season earlier this year.
Jean Smart Opens Up About Saying Goodbye To Hacks
During the conversation, Smart admitted that ending Hacks was “bittersweet,” explaining that the show’s creators — Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky — had always planned for the story to run for five seasons.
Smart revealed that she knew almost immediately that she wanted to join the project, but there was one part of the role that made her nervous: playing a comedian.
“I thought, ‘Oh, will other comedians buy me as a comic?’” Smart explained, admitting that portraying a stand-up performer was the one challenge that worried her.
O’Donnell quickly reassured her, praising Smart’s performance and telling her that audiences absolutely accepted her as a believable comedian.
“You were fantastic at it,” O’Donnell told her, highlighting just how difficult that transformation was.
Smart Teases What Comes Next
The reunion also touched on Smart’s incredible success with the role, including her chance to tie Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most Emmy wins for a comedy performance.
However, Smart remained humble, joking that the achievement was partly due to “a technicality.”
Looking ahead, Smart admitted that part of her wants to take a break after the demanding Hacks schedule, though she teased that she already has a new movie planned for the winter and hopes to continue producing.
For fans who have followed Deborah Vance’s journey, seeing Smart and O’Donnell together again was a fitting reminder of the impact Hacks has had.
The full reunion gave viewers one more memorable moment from a series that has already secured its place among modern comedy favorites.
