Lisa Kudrow introduced Andrew Scott, who was honored as Icon of the Year at the 2026 Out100 gala.
Scott, Out's November/December cover star, has received critical acclaim for his portrayal as Ian Charleson in the upcoming film Elsinore, about the late gay actor's final stage performance. Kudrow opened her remarks by asking the crowd how many had seen Scott in Hamlet, praising his performance as a gateway to Shakespeare. “How many of you understood what you were hearing for the first time in your life?” she asked, to cheers. “I know. Me too.”
She joked that Scott’s portrayal of the “Hot Priest” in Fleabag was “probably a favorite role of some of the people in this room.”
But Kudrow also reminded the audience of a role Scott had this year in another celebrated production. "I don't think I'm the only one to clock that you are receiving this award the year that you were in the finale of The Comeback. So you’re welcome. Don't feel like you have to get me anything. You don’t," she joked to the crowd at the Hollywood gathering, adding, “I like flowers.”
"But seriously, Andrew, you’re a brilliant actor and a fighter for the LGBTQ+ community," the Friends icon continued. "It was a real honor to have you on our show... in what turned out to be a milestone year for you. In Pressure, you played a weatherman who was so annoying you helped win World War II and overthrow fascism. And in It Gets Worse, well, don’t make me spit it out — you’ve all seen the clips. And now so have I."
Kudrow went on to praise Scott for "the performance of a lifetime" in Elsinore. "Like Ian [Charleson], you know the power of art to sustain soul. And through telling his story, you’ve used your immense talents to shine a light on injustice while holding the light for the affirming power of the human spirit... Here and throughout your brilliant career, you’re giving the gifts of courage and pride to the next generation. I’m so proud to know you."
To finish her remarks, Kudrow channeled her Comeback character Valerie Cherish, saying that if she were there, she would say “From one icon to another, congratulations, Adam Scott.” (And yes, getting his name wrong was part of the joke.)
The 2026 Out100, presented by Lexus, brought together some of the year's most notable LGBTQ+ changemakers. In addition to Kudrow and Scott, Lily Tomlin and Stella Parton also took the stage to honor Stella's late sister, Dolly Parton, who was posthumously awarded Advocate of the Year.
