The tribute from her peers left the Married with Children star, who announced in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), visibly emotional.
She was also nominated this year herself in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her work on the hit Netlfix comedy-drama, Dead to Me.
“Thank you so much,” Applegate told the cheering Emmys crowd.
“Oh my god, you’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up. It’s fine…Body not by Ozempic. Okay, let’s go.
As the rapturous reception continued, she quipped: "We don't have to applaud every time I do something."
“I don’t like seeing myself struggling… Also, I gained 40 pounds because of inactivity and medications, and I didn’t look like myself, and I didn’t feel like myself,” Applegate said.
“At some point I was able to distance myself from my own ego, and realize what a beautiful piece of television it was. All the scenes I wasn’t in were so much fun to see and experience for the very first time.”
Succession and The Bear were the big winners on the night. Each series won six major awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series, respectively.