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Home / Entertainment

Director proposes to girlfriend during Emmys acceptance speech

By Hannah Parry
Daily Mail·
18 Sep, 2018 03:01 AM3 mins to read

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Glenn Weiss proposes to Jan Svendsen at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. Photo / AP

Glenn Weiss proposes to Jan Svendsen at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. Photo / AP

Glenn Weiss completely stole the show at the Emmy Awards when he proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of his acceptance speech.

The Oscar director, 57, took the to stage to receive his award for Directing for a Variety Special.

In his emotional speech, he said his win was bittersweet because his mother passed away two weeks earlier, adding that his mom had loved his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen, who was in the audience.

"Jan, you are the sunshine in my life, and mom was right, don't ever let go of your sunshine," the director said.

"You wonder why I don't like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife."

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The camera quickly panned to his stunned girlfriend who looked in complete over the surprise proposal.

Weiss got a standing ovation and huge cheers from the crowd as Svendsen made her way to the stage

"Hey, I didn't ask yet!" he joked.

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Glenn Weiss an American producer and director, has won 11 Emmy Awards and 6 Directors Guild of America awards. Photo / AP
Glenn Weiss an American producer and director, has won 11 Emmy Awards and 6 Directors Guild of America awards. Photo / AP

He pulled out a ring, telling everyone that this was the ring his father and put on his mother's finger 65 years ago.

"And to my sister and brothers, I didn't swipe it dad knows I have it!" he laughed.

"Jan, I want to put this ring my mom wore on your finger in front of all these people, and my mom and your parents watching (from above)."

Getting down on one knee, he asked: "Will you marry me?"

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Her response is muffled but she appears to say: "Yes, of course I will!' before giving Weiss a big kiss and hug."

"Thank you to the academy!" a clearly delighted Weiss said as he and his new fiance left the stage to a standing ovation.

Many celebrities in the crowd looked delighted, including Leslie Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Betty Gilpin who appeared happily stunned as they have a standing ovation. Claire Foy even appeared to wipe away a tear after the touching moment.

Glenn Weiss proposed to Jan Svendsen with a ring his father had put on his mother's finger 65 years ago. Photo / AP
Glenn Weiss proposed to Jan Svendsen with a ring his father had put on his mother's finger 65 years ago. Photo / AP

Weiss, an American producer and director of television and live events, has won 11 Emmy Awards and 6 Directors Guild of America awards, for shows including Tony Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, and Academy Awards.

His proposal also delighted fans and Twitter blew up with viewers praising him for "raising the bar on public proposals."

Meredith Blake tweeted: "Oscar director Glenn Weiss proposes to his girlfriend onstage at the #Emmys, let's all just call it a night because it's not going to get better than this."

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Vanessa Leinani described it as "the ultimate rom-com style lead up to a marriage proposal EVER!!! #Emmys #bestmoment #love #EmmysProposal."

One viewer added: "Holy c**p!! Glenn Weiss knows how to make a moment!!! Incredible! Maze Tov! Congrats!"

"Emmy marriage proposal is the night's biggest winner," added Lesley Goldberg.

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