Jean Smart & Hannah Einbinder's Real-Life Bond: Grief & Support

0:00On April 9th, Jean Smart and Hannah Imbinder from the HBO series Hacks share a real-life bond that mirrors their on-screen mentor Mentee Vibe. The 74-year-old Smart Place comedian Debra Vance, while the 30-year-old Imbinder is her head writer, Ava Daniels. They clicked right away when they met, building a foundation of trust and respect through the show's early days. As they rap season 1 in March 2021, tragedy struck when Smart's husband, Richard Gilliland, passed away at 71 from a heart, condition. The couple had been married 35 years, sharing two sons, and first met on the set of designing women back in 1986. Imbinder stepped up big time, offering comfort during those tough hospital calls on set, while the whole crew rallied around Smart. She called Imbinder, wise and amazing for her support, turning to her in that raw moment of grief. Smart pushed through filming, despite the shock, skipping just one scene, a funeral that hit too close to home.

1:00HBO execs praise her grit, saying she always delivers no matter the personal pain. Their connection has only deepened since, with Smart's though processing the loss of her partner of half her life as recently as May 2024. Proving how vulnerability forges unbreakable ties in Hollywood. Stay in the know with entertainment and celebrity news today, AI-powered updates.