Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd brought a major Charlie’s Angels moment to the 2026 Emmys, reuniting onstage to mark the series’ 50th anniversary and honor the late Farrah Fawcett.
The trio appeared during the 78th Emmy Awards to present the Emmy for best drama series, a category that ultimately went to The Pitt. But before announcing the winner, the actors used the spotlight to reflect on the show that first debuted on Sept. 22, 1976, and to recognize the co-star who was not there with them.
“It’s an honor to be here tonight to present the Emmy for drama series and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels,” Jackson said as the presentation began.
Smith then turned the tribute toward Fawcett, who starred in the first season of the series alongside Jackson and Smith.
“I would like to acknowledge someone not standing with us tonight, and that’s my friend Farrah Fawcett. As I’ve said many times, charisma doesn’t need a second season,” Smith said. “As I said many times, she’s here with us in everyone’s collective memory.”
Jackson continued the remembrance, calling Fawcett “the shiniest angel of all.”
“Farrah was the shiniest angel of all, and she was loved by millions of people all over the world, and she still is today,” Jackson said. “And they’ll never forget her and neither will we, and I’m sure you won’t either.”
Ladd added a lighter note before the category was announced, saying, “And her iconic poster lives in the minds, and the garages, of many a man.”
The appearance doubled as a celebration of the enduring place Charlie’s Angels holds in television history. Created by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts, the series premiered in 1976 with Jackson, Smith and Fawcett starring as three investigators who worked for their boss, Charlie. Fawcett’s run was limited to the first season, and Ladd later joined the cast.
After the tribute, Jackson, Smith and Ladd announced The Pitt as the winner for best drama series. The win came after the show entered this year’s Emmys as the most-nominated program, with 25 total nods.
The Pitt led a nominations field that also included Hacks, which earned 24 nominations and set a record for the most comedy series nominations in a single year, and Widow’s Bay, which received 19.
The 78th Emmy Awards were broadcast live Monday night from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony, following her two Emmy wins at the Creative Arts ceremony the previous week.