Laraine Newman Recalls Moment Daughter Hannah Einbinder ‘Tearfully Admitted’ She Wanted to Be an Actor (Exclusive)

Laraine Newman is recalling the moment her daughter Hannah Einbinder revealed she wanted to follow in her footsteps.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at The Groundling’s 50th Anniversary Alumni Reunion on Oct. 19, the original Saturday Night Live cast member, 72, opened up about how she felt about her daughter’s meteoric rise in comedy.

“I am a genuine, proud mom,” she smiled, before sharing the moment the Hacks star, 29, announced her decision to pursue acting. “It was very late. I mean, she had been an athlete and then she went to Chapman for broadcast journalism and then switched to TV writing. And kids were saying, you’re funny, why don’t you join the improv group? And so that was when she tearfully admitted to me at one point, like the dirty secret, ‘I want to be an actor.'”

“It’s thrilling! Everyone on that show is great, and Hannah has risen to the occasion,” she said of watching Einbinder on screen. “She had no acting experience, and as a mother, I was worried, but I didn’t need to be.”

She continued to gush, “Her instincts and delivery are amazing. She even contributes jokes, which is what got her the job.”

Newman then recalled a small moment from Einbinder’s childhood that made her realize her daughter’s writing talent.

“I remember doing homework with her, and she would write these boring sentences, but then come up with something brilliant. I’d think, ‘Why are you holding out on me?’ ”

She said, adding, “It’s thrilling to see her shine.”