Magda Szubanski’s emotional and wickedly funny acceptance speech had the Logies audience in tears.

For four decades, Magda Szubanski has helped define Australian comedy. Now, she is being awarded Australian TV's highest honour, amid her battle with a "rare and aggressive" cancer.

Just a day before the Logies, it was announced that the beloved actress and comedian is this year's inductee to the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame.

Szubanski is the fifth ever female recipient of the accolade, since the beginning of the awards in 1984. She joins actress Rebecca Gibney, Mother and Son's Ruth Cracknell, Playschool's Noni Hazlehurst and presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

While she couldn't physically take to the stage on Sunday night to accept the award, Magda did share a heartfelt video message after being inducted into the TV Week Logie Awards Hall of Fame.

"I am so sorry I cannot be there. I do have a good excuse this time, normally I don't come because I can't be bothered getting out of my pyjamas. This time, there really is a reason," Magda said in her video, which was played during the broadcast.

But it wouldn't be a Magda Szubanski speech without a little humour.

"I want to say, first of all, let's get this out of the way. I have not been awarded this honour because I have the cancer. I am getting this because of 40 years of hard work. Lobbying, bribing, threatening, whatever it took. Finally, it has all paid off, so I don't feel like an impostor. I feel like I have earned it. And I am thrilled," she added. 

Magda Szubanski, AO, will be inducted into the Logie awards Hall of Fame tomorrow night.

She went on to thank her family and friends, as well as the Australian public, for their unwavering support for her throughout her cancer journey, acknowledging how their messages have helped her cope.

"The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami from the Australian public, has been overwhelming, and I have to tell you, it really helps," she said tearfully.

"Magda's contribution to comedy, literature, activism, and Australia's cultural identity is profound and influential. This induction into the TV WEEK Logie Awards Hall of Fame celebrates not only a remarkable television career but also a lifetime of shaping hearts, headlines, and history, and giving audiences the gift of huge laughs.

"Szubanski is a comedic force and cultural icon — not to mention a national treasure. Her work on Kath & Kim not only captivated audiences but also played a pivotal role in shaping modern Australian humour. With its sharp satire and iconic catchphrases, the series became a touchstone of national identity, and Sharon's earnest charm remains etched in pop culture memory."

The entertainer first hit our screens back in the '80s on sketch shows including The D-Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal. Later, she appeared in films like Babe and its sequel. However, Szubanski is best known for her beloved role as Sharon Strzelecki in the 2000s comedy Kath & Kim.

This award comes six years after the entertainer was bestowed an Order of Australia "for distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor, comedian and writer, and as a campaigner for marriage equality".

While the Hall of Fame induction is a time to celebrate Szubanski's contributions to Australian TV, it does come at a time of adversity for the actress.

LISTEN: Magda Szubanski speaks to Mia Freedman on No Filter. Post continues below.

'I won't sugar-coat it': Szubanski announces cancer battle.

In May this year, the 64-year-old shared she has been battling a "rare and fast-moving blood cancer". While the honour will be presented on Sunday 3 August, at The Star Sydney, it is unknown whether she will be there to receive the accolade in person.

The entertainer, who was born in England and raised in Melbourne, confirmed she had Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma in a post to Instagram.

WATCH: Magda Szubanski breaks the news of her cancer diagnosis. Post continues after video.

Her comments were immediately flooded with well-wishes and words of encouragement from supporters all over the world.

Things quickly took a turn, however, as some people chose to take Szubanski's news as an opportunity to link her cancer diagnosis to her support of the COVID-19 vaccination.

"Person pushes vax ends up with turbo cancer what a surprise! Have another booster dear that'll fix it for sure," wrote one Instagram user.

Another called for her to "apologise for pushing the vax on others".

The targeted criticism has followed the comedian ever since she featured in a Victorian Government COVID-19 ad which urged the public to follow social distancing and mask health mandates.

On May 30, a day after announcing her cancer diagnosis, Szubanski addressed the trolls directly on X (formerly Twitter).

"Ok. Enough! Not the conversation I want to be having right now," she wrote.

She went on to say that her intention was never to push the COVID-19 vaccination on anyone, but rather encourage public safety.

"Let me be very very clear… I helped out as a good citizen to morale boost during COVID but I NEVAH EVAH was an 'avid supporter of vaccinations' and categorically DID NOT insist on them for others. Why? Because - I'm not a frickin doctor!!

"This lie has gone beyond trolls and is now creeping into reports. I won't ignore incorrect information intended to warp the narrative and the truth."

Szubanski's cancer was picked up during a routine breast screen after doctors saw her lymph nodes were up.

The 64-year-old is getting "world-class care" at a facility in Melbourne, and has started the "Nordic Protocol".

"I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me," Szubanski wrote.

"I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.

"This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up.

"TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! So the take away is — get tested and listen to your body!"

The Nordic Protocol is an intensive cancer treatment approach primarily used for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), which is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is also known as the Maxi-CHOP regimen, and consists of multiple treatment phases, including chemotherapy.

Feature Image: Getty.

This article was originally published in May 2025 and has since been updated.