2026 Emmy Awards Best Moments: From Taylor Swift’s Cameo to Emilia Clarke, Emma Darcy’s Reunion

Sally Field had one of the most unforgettable moments with E! host Keltie Knight on the red carpet at the 2026 Emmy Awards. As Field approached the interview podium, Knight had just finished chatting with actor Charlie Hunnam. Naturally, Knight couldn’t resist gushing about him. “That was my celebrity crush, Charlie Hunnam. I love him so much,” Knight told Field. Field seemed ready to shut down the confession, telling Knight, “You’ve gotta do that on your own time, babe.” But, Field then asked, “Have you told him how you feel? Maybe you could arrange something.” Knight got flustered and pointed out that both she and Hunnam are already married to other people. That’s when Field delivered the ultimate punchline: “How do you know it’s really solid?” Oh. OH. Knight could only laugh before replying, “We don’t! And you know what, Sally Field, ladies and gentlemen. And that is why you are you.”

Taylor Swift made a surprise cameo at the 2026 Emmy Awards, although she wasn’t there in person. The pop star appeared in a pre-taped Law & Order: SVU sketch alongside Mariska Hargitay, who hosted this year’s ceremony. Hargitay reprised her role as Olivia Benson, while Swift played a rookie detective in the skit. The sketch showed Benson and the SVU team investigating the very important question of whether Taylor Swift would actually show up at the Emmy Awards or not. Yes, the Emmys really turned Swift’s rumored appearance into a meta SVU investigation. For those who missed the live show, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards is available to watch on Peacock. Just one piece of advice: You might want to skip the opening number from Hargitay. You’ll thank us later.

Game of Thrones fans also got a reunion of sorts at the 2026 Emmys! Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, and Emma D’Arcy, who stars as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the prequel House of the Dragon, reunited on stage. Sure, they come from two different shows in the franchise, but it still counts as a reunion, right? Clarke and D’Arcy were called on to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie to Sally Field. And D’Arcy wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass without making a playful comment about their connection. “In the Game of Thrones universe, Emilia is my great-great-great-great-really-great-granddaughter,” she joked.

Many stars who passed away received well-deserved tributes at the 2026 Emmys. The In Memoriam segment of the awards show opened with a tribute to Catherine O’Hara, who passed away in January. Macaulay Culkin, her onscreen son from Home Alone, remembered the late actress, saying, “There are all kinds of words I could use to describe Catherine. She was encouraging, she was warm, she was funny, but the word that I think of is ‘mama’.” Rob Reiner, who died in December 2025, was also remembered during the segment. Jamie Lee Curtis, his co-star from New Girl, called Reiner “a cherished legend” and her “beloved Meathead.” 

Dolly Parton also received an emotional tribute, with Reba McEntire performing the late country icon’s song Appalachian Memories. Parton lost her battle with cancer in August. And who doesn’t know the legendary entertainer Bob Hope? The comedian, who died in 2003 at the age of 100, was also remembered at the ceremony. The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is named in his honor, and actor and activist Michael J. Fox was this year’s recipient. During his acceptance speech, Fox reflected, “I learned from his example. I couldn’t have known how these lessons would resonate in my own life until my late 20s, when my life handed me a role I wasn’t looking for.”

We may have mentioned Meg Stalter in our worst-dressed celebrity list, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t create one of the best moments of this year’s Emmys. In fact, she undoubtedly stole the spotlight by arriving dressed as a literal life-size Emmy statuette. Stalter took method dressing to another level with a metallic gold two-piece set featuring a gold bra and matching hot pants. She even covered herself from head to toe in metallic gold body paint. Her skin, face, and hair were all given the golden treatment. Every time Stalter appeared on screen, viewers must have been splitting their sides. It was certainly not a look everyone could pull off, but Stalter fully committed to the bit. And honestly, that commitment deserves some serious credit.