Quinta Brunson, the creator of the hit show “Abbott Elementary,” stole the spotlight at the Just For Laughs ComedyPro conference in Montreal. Brunson emotionally recounted her breakthrough moment at the festival in 2017 and expressed her gratitude for being recognized with the Best Comedy Person award this year in front of her comedy heroes and industry executives.
During her acceptance speech, Brunson shared her journey in comedy, working tirelessly to achieve her dreams of making it in TV and film. Being part of the New Faces comic discovery program at Just For Laughs was a pivotal moment for her career, and she expressed her deep appreciation for the honor she received back then.
READ MORE: Netflix’s ‘The King Who Never Was’: Unraveling the Tragic Scandal of Prince Victor Emmanuel
In a heartfelt moment, she thanked the audience and humorously mentioned her hope to return in 10 years to receive the Breakout Award, a nod to the success story of Ronny Chieng, who rose to fame after his introduction to Trevor Noah at the festival in 2015.
The awards show continued to be emotionally charged when Bert Kreischer, star of “The Machine,” tearfully shared his improbable journey to comedy success and picked up the Best Stand-Up Comedy award. He expressed his gratitude for receiving the award at the age of 50 and emotionally acknowledged the significance of this achievement in his life.
Of course, humor was not in short supply at the awards show. Rainn Wilson, known for his role in “The Office,” humorously pretended to be one of the Emmy winners, Jeremy Piven, as he clutched his Impact Award trophy and jokingly closed his eyes to pretend he had won the Emmy a decade ago.
Mae Martin, the Canadian star of Netflix’s “Feel Good,” also felt the weight of the moment as she received the Rising Comedy Star of the Year prize. She shared her emotional connection to the comedy community and how it felt like coming home for her.
The Just For Laughs comedy festival, filled with laughter and emotions, will continue to entertain audiences until its conclusion on Sunday.
The Just For Laughs ComedyPro conference in Montreal was filled with heartfelt moments and humor as comedians from around the world gathered to celebrate their achievements and share their journeys in the world of comedy. Quinta Brunson’s emotional speech and Bert Kreischer’s heartfelt gratitude were among the highlights of the awards show, reminding us of the impact comedy can have on people’s lives. As the festival continues, audiences can expect more laughter and unforgettable moments from the talented comedians gracing the stage.