Jean Smart Gets Candid About Agony of Her Husband’s Sudden Death

Hacks star Jean Smart is getting candid about the shocking, “devastating” death of her longtime husband, Richard Gilliland, in a new interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? shared exclusively with People ahead of the episode's premiere on May 17.

Smart and Gilliland had been married for 35 years when the actor suddenly passed in March 2021 as the result of a cardiovascular condition. His death came just as Smart was wrapping production on the first season of Hacks, the HBO show (currently in its third season) which gave new life to the legendary performer’s career.

Smart won two Emmys for her portrayal of acid-tongued comedian Deborah Vance and instantly secured coveted roles opposite Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown and Brad Pitt in Babylon. But the success came just as Smart was reeling from Gilliland’s death, making the accomplishments bittersweet as she was unable to share them with her spouse.

Describing Gilliland’s death as “the worst,” Smart told Wallace, “It was such a shock. It was so unexpected. And, you know, I thought he had COVID or something. The places I took him to, to get him tested, didn't do anything except a COVID test," she explained.

Smart even returned to one of the doctor’s offices after Gilliland’s death to confront the staff as to why they didn’t do more to help her husband.

"I said, 'Let me ask you something,'" Smart recalled. "I said, ‘If I brought my 71-year-old husband in here, who was complaining of pain when you take deep breaths, what would you do for him?' He said, 'Well, [the] first thing we do is an AKG.' I said, 'He died last week. Why didn't you do that?'"

Smart has only recently begun to accept Gilliland’s passing, which she said is unlike any other loss she’s experienced.

"I've lost a sibling. That's a different, whole different experience,” Smart said. “Losing your mate of 35 years—I mean, literally half my life I lived with him—is just kind of indescribable," she reflected. "You go through this period of thinking it's just not real. This isn't real. You know? This just doesn't make any sense."

Even whilst struggling to make sense of her new reality, Smart’s career has been hotter than ever. In addition to season four of Hacks, the Designing Women alum is gearing up to play Andy Samberg’s love interest in Cruella director Craig Gillespie’s upcoming comedy 42.6 Years. Samberg plays a man who is unthawed four decades after being cryogenically frozen and sets out to reunite with his former girlfriend, played by Smart.

You can stream new episodes of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace each Friday on Max. Smart’s episode drops on May 17.