What We Know About Jean Smart's Son Forrest

Jean Smart made waves at the 2021 Emmy Awards not just for her stunning red carpet look, but for her touching tribute to her family and recently deceased husband, Richard Gililand, during her acceptance speech after winning her fourth career Emmy (via Vanity Fair).

The Designing Women star also introduced the world to her 13-year-old son Forrest at the star studded event. As Page Six reported, Smart and Forrest walked the ceremony's red carpet together on Sunday, September 19, shortly before she took home the trophy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in HBO Max's "Hacks."

During her acceptance speech, Smart — who was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for "The Mare of Easttown" — thanked Forrest and her older son, Connor, referring to them both as "my two wonderful and unselfish children ... who are both very courageous in their own right." Speaking on the Emmys red carpet at the event, Forrest told reporters that he is "very proud of his mom," adding that she deserves all of her success because "she worked really hard."

Jean Smart adopted Forrest from China in 2009 with her late husband Richard Gilliland, who sadly passed away in March following a short illness (via Page Six). During her acceptance speech, for which she received a standing ovation, the actress also paid an emotional tribute to Gilliland, who died earlier this year at the age of 71.

"Before I say anything else, I have to acknowledge my late husband Richard Gilliland, who passed away six months yesterday. I would not be here without him, without his sort of putting his career on the back burner so that I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I've had," she told the star-studded audience (via People).

But beyond their dedication to each other and their careers and successes, Smart has always stressed that Gilliland was a true family man. "He was a great dad, and he made me laugh every day," Smart recently revealed to Variety. "Him passing away was just not ever even a thought. And it's changed every moment of my everyday life; every atom of my existence I feel like is altered."