Who Is Glenn Weiss? Everything You Need to Know About the Man Behind the 2018 Emmys Proposal

Monday night at the 2018 Emmys, veteran director Glenn Weiss took the stage for what seemed like a regular ol’ acceptance speech for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. But then, Weiss got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen, and the whole world changed forever. We’re talking earth-shattering, axis-shifting change. It goes without saying that Svendsen said yes.

Weiss’ proposal was without a doubt the most exciting moment of the show (with the exception of a few surprise wins and snubs, it was a relatively tame affair), and it warmed the hearts of millions of Americans watching at home. Most notably, the proposal made Benedict Cumberbatch smile, which is quite an accomplishment.

But before you start planning their wedding, there are a few facts you should know about the show-stopper. Here’s everything you need to know about Glenn Weiss, a man who truly knows how to direct the hell out of an awards show.

Who Is Glenn Weiss?

Weiss is a behind-the-scenes man, so you may not have heard of him, but he’s pretty much a household name in the industry. Weiss has produced and directed countless awards shows, including the Oscars (last night’s win was for the 2018 show), the Tony Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, and more. Weiss also has experience directing reality TV series like Survivor (he specializes in the reunions) and The Biggest Loser.

Is This Weiss’ First Emmy Win?

You heard the part about him being a household name, right? Over the years, Weiss has amassed an impressive 22 wins and 26 nominations, which means that he’s won almost every time he’s been nominated. Weiss most recently won the Emmy last year, when he took home an award for Outstanding Special Class Program for the 70th Tony Awards.

What Was Weiss’ Proposal Plan If He Didn’t Win?

As all directors of live events know, you’ve gotta have a backup plan. When asked backstage if he still would have proposed if he hadn’t won, Weiss wasn’t so sure. “Waited till next year?” he said. “I supposed the Ball, or In-N-Out Burger, which is our staple after awards shows.”

Yeah, proposing on-stage at the Emmys might have been a better plan. But the real question is, did they still go to In-N-Out after?

How Did The Happy Couple Celebrate Their Engagement?

After getting over the shock, Weiss and Svendsen headed to IMDB Live and the Governor’s Ball, the official Emmys after-party hosted by the Television Academy. There, they partied with the likes of Henry Winkler, Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel success story Rachel Brosnahan.

Congratulations, Glenn and Jan!