In a mostly ho-hum night at the Emmys, Glenn Weiss delivered a moment that left most of those in attendance slack-jawed and applauding.
He proposed to his girlfriend on live television after winning an Emmy.
Weiss, who has now amassed more than a dozen Emmys, won for outstanding directing for a variety special for his work on the most recent Oscars. He’s a veteran of Hollywood-centric television events, having helmed events as varied as The Kennedy Centre Honours and the Macy’s 4th of July Spectacular.
He started his speech paying tribute to his mother, whom he said had passed away two weeks ago.
“Part of my heart is broken. I don’t think it will ever be repaired,” said Weiss, 57, according to New York Times.
He added: “Mom always believed in finding the sunshine in things and she adored my girlfriend, Jan.”
Weiss was referring to Jan Svendsen, chief creative officer at Charity Network, and continued, “Jan, you are the sunshine in my life. And mom was right, don’t ever let go of your sunshine. You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife.”
Svendsen’s jaw dropped — as did several in the audience — and said yes before he even popped the question. The crowd began to cheer as Svendsen walked to the stage. Weiss told her when she arrived, “This is the ring that my dad put on my mom’s finger 67 years ago. And to my sisters and brothers, I didn’t swipe it. Dad knows I have it, OK?”
He got on one knee and said, “Jan, I want to put this ring that my mom wore on your finger in front of all these people and in front of my mom and your parents watching from above. Will you marry me?”
She, of course, said yes, and the two walked offstage with an Emmy and a lifetime partnership.