In May of 1974, the first Daytime Emmy Award for Best Actor went to Macdonald Carey for his role as Dr. Tom Horton on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.” Since that first ceremony, a total of 24 performers have won this award. Scroll through our gallery below to see every recipient who has ever taken home the honor, including a few who made history with their multiple victories over the years.
ABC’s “General Hospital” has earned 12 wins in this category, more than any other soap opera. Eight of those 12 wins went to Anthony Geary, whose victories for the iconic role of Luke Spencer make him the most awarded actor in daytime history and tie him with Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the second most acting Emmys at the daytime or primetime awards. Cloris Leachman is the all-time record-holder with nine wins: one in daytime, eight in primetime. But Geary alone holds the record for most Emmy wins for a single character.
Meanwhile, Peter Bergman, who has earned nominations for his roles as Cliff on “All My Children” and Jack Abbott on “The Young and the Restless,” is essentially the Meryl Streep of the Daytime Emmys. Come to think of it, Bergman’s track record at the Emmys is eerily similar to Streep’s at the Oscars — like Streep, he has earned 21 nominations and three wins. Those 21 noms give him the record for the most nominations in this category. All three of his wins came for his role as Jack Abbott.
The most recent winner of the category is Jason Thompson, who earned his first Emmy in 2020 for his role as Billy Abbott on “The Young and the Restless.” That was his first Emmy win after five previous nominations. At the Daytime Emmys, sometimes good things come to those who wait. Look back at each and every winner and who they were up against when they prevailed.
-
Maurice Benard, ‘General Hospital’ (2021)
Image Credit: Francis Specker/CBS Benard earned his third Best Actor prize for his role as crime boss Sonny Corinthos as he dealt with the loss of his father to Alzheimer’s disease.
2021 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Steve Burton, “General Hospital”
Thorsten Kaye, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Wally Kurth, “Days of Our Lives”
Dominic Zamprogna, “General Hospital” -
Jason Thompson, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2020)
Image Credit: CBS Thompson earned his first Best Actor prize during a ceremony held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. He won for his role as Billy Abbott on the CBS soap.
2020 Best Actor Nominees:
Steve Burton, “General Hospital”
Thorsten Kaye, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Jon Lindstrom, “General Hospital”
Thaao Penghlis, “Days of Our Lives”
X — Jason Thompson, “The Young and the Restless” -
Maurice Benard, ‘General Hospital’ (2019)
Image Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Benard earned his second Best Actor prize for his role as crime boss Sonny Corinthos on the ABC series.
2019 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Tyler Christopher, “Days of Our Lives”
Billy Flynn, “Days of Our Lives”
Jon Lindstrom, “General Hospital” -
James Reynolds, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (2018)
Image Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock After more than three decades playing Abe Carver, Reynolds won his first Emmy for a storyline involving Abe’s son being shot by a white police officer.
2018 Best Actor Nominees:
X — James Reynolds, “Days of Our Lives”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Michael Easton, “General Hospital”
John McCook, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Billy Miller, “Days of Our Lives” -
Scott Clifton, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2017)
Image Credit: Invision/AP/Shutterstock For his role as Liam Spencer, Clifton became the first male actor to win Emmys in the Younger Actor, Supporting Actor, and Lead Actor categories.
2017 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Scott Clifton, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Billy Flynn, “Days of Our Lives”
Vincent Irizarry, “Days of Our Lives”
Kristoff St. John, “The Young and the Restless” -
Tyler Christopher, ‘General Hospital’ (2016)
Image Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock Christopher earned his first Emmy for his role of the brooding prince Nikolas Cassadine.
2016 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Tyler Christopher, “General Hospital”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Justin Hartley, “The Young and the Restless”
Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Kristoff St. John, “The Young and the Restless” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2015)
Image Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Geary won his eighth Emmy for a storyline where he played Luke Spencer as well as Luke’s treacherous doppleganger.
2015 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Billy Miller, “The Young and the Restless”
Jason Thompson, “General Hospital” -
Billy Miller, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2014)
Image Credit: Katy Winn/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Miller won this third career Emmy, his first in this category, for his role as grieving father Billy Abbott.
2014 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Billy Miller, “The Young and the Restless”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Doug Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Jason Thompson, “General Hospital” -
Doug Davidson, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2013)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock After more than thirty years on the CBS soap, Davidson won his first Emmy for playing Paul Williams.
2013 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Doug Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Michael Muhney, “The Young and the Restless”
Jason Thompson, “General Hospital” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2012)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Geary won his seventh Emmy for a storyline where Luke Spencer faced his alcoholism after believing he killed his own grandson.
2012 Best Actor Nominees:
x — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
John McCook, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Darnell Williams, “All My Children”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live” -
Michael Park, ‘As the World Turns’ (2011)
Image Credit: Carolyn Contino/BEI/Shutterstock Park won his second consectutive Emmy in this category for his role as Jack Snyder in the CBS soap’s final year.
2011 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Michael Park, “As the World Turns”
Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Ricky Paull Goldin, “All My Children”
Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
EJ Scott, “Days of Our Lives” -
Michael Park, ‘As the World Turns’ (2010)
Image Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock After 13 years playing Jack Snyder, Park earned his first career Emmy.
2010 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Michael Park, “As the World Turns”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Doug Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Jon Lindstrom, “As the World Turns”
EJ Scott, “Days of Our Lives” -
Christian LeBlanc, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2009)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock LeBlanc earned his third Emmy in five years for his role as Michael Baldwin.
2009 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Daniel Cosgrove, “Guiding Light”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Thorsten Kaye, “All My Children”
Peter Reckell, “Days of Our Lives” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2008)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock Geary won his sixth Emmy for his role as Luke Spencer, setting the record for the most wins in this category.
2008 Best Actor Nominee:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and The Restless”
Thaao Penghlis, “Days of Our Lives” -
Christian LeBlanc, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2007)
Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock LeBlanc earned his second Emmy in this category for his role as Michael Baldwin.
2007 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Ricky Paull Goldin, “Guiding Light”
Michael Park, “As the World Turns” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2006)
Image Credit: Reed Saxon/AP/Shutterstock Geary earned his fifth Emmy for his role as Luke Spencer.
2006 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Thorsten Kaye, “All My Children”
Robert Newman, “Guiding Light”
Ron Raines, “Guiding Light” -
Christian LeBlanc, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2005)
Image Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock After four nominations in the supporting category, LeBlanc earned his first of three Lead Actor prizes for his role as Michael Baldwin.
2005 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Christian LeBlanc, “The Young and the Restless”
Grant Aleksander, “Guiding Light”
Steve Burton, “General Hospital”
Roger Howarth, “As the World Turns”
Michael E. Knight, “All My Children”
Jack Wagner, “The Bold and the Beautiful” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2004)
Image Credit: Tina Fineberg/AP/Shutterstock Geary earned the fourth of his eight Emmys for his role as Luke Spencer.
2004 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Grant Alexsander, “Guiding Light”
Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
Roger Howarth, “As the World Turns”
Thorsten Kaye, “Port Charles” -
Maurice Benard, ‘General Hospital’ (2003)
Image Credit: Invision/AP/Shutterstock Benard earned his first Emmy for his role as brooding mobster Sonny Corinthos.
2003 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Grant Aleksander, “Guiding Light”
Doug Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Ricky Paull Goldin, “Guiding Light”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Thorsten Kaye, “Port Charles” -
Peter Bergman, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2002)
Image Credit: Todd Williamson/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Bergman earned his third Emmy for his role as Jack Abbot on the CBS soap.
2002 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Hunt Block, “As the World Turns”
Vincent Irizarry, “All My Children”
Robert Newman, “Guiding Light”
Jack Scalia, “All My Children” -
David Canary, ‘All My Children’ (2001)
Image Credit: ABC Canary earned his fifth and final Emmy for his dual roles as Adam and Stuart Chandler.
2001 Best Actor Nominees:
X — David Canary, “All My Children”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Tom Eplin, “As the World Turns”
Jon Hensley, “As the World Turns”
John McCook, “The Bold and the Beautiful” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (2000)
Image Credit: Stuart Ramson/AP/Shutterstock Geary earned the third of his eight Emmys for a storyline involving Luke Spencer mourning the death of his son.
2000 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (1999)
Image Credit: Abc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Geary earned the second of his eight Emmys for his role of Luke Spencer.
1999 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live” -
Eric Braeden, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (1998)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Braeden earned his Emmy for his role as ruthless tycoon Victor Newman.
1998 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Kin Shriner, “Port Charles” -
Justin Deas, ‘Guiding Light’ (1997)
Image Credit: CBS Deas earned his second Emmy in this category, and his sixth win overall, for his role as Buzz Cooper.
1997 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Justin Deas, “Guiding Light”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital” -
Charles Keating, ‘Another World’ (1996)
Image Credit: Ron Frehm/AP/Shutterstock Keating earned his first Emmy for his role as the mischief-making Carl Hutchins on the NBC soap.
1996 Best Actor Nominees:
X– Charles Keating, “Another World”
Maurice Benard, “General Hospital”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children” -
Justin Deas, ‘Guiding Light’ (1995)
Image Credit: CBS After four previous wins in the Supporting Actor category, Deas earned his first Best Actor Emmy for his role as Buzz Cooper on the CBS soap.
1995 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Justin Deas, “Guiding Light”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Brad Maule, “General Hospital”
Michael Zaslow, “Guiding Light” -
Michael Zaslow, ‘Guiding Light’ (1994)
Image Credit: Luc Novovitch/AP/Shutterstock Zaslow earned his Emmy for his role as the villainous Roger Thorpe on the CBS soap.
1994 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Michael Zaslow, “Guiding Light”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Charles Keating, “Another World”
Peter Simon, “Guiding Light”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live” -
David Canary, ‘All My Children’ (1993)
Image Credit: Lou Rocco/Abc Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Canary earned his fourth Emmy for his roles as Adam and Stuart Chandler.
1993 Best Actor Nominees:
X — David Canary, “All My Children”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Mark Derwin, “Guiding Light”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live”
Michael Zaslow, “Guiding Light” -
Peter Bergman, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (1992)
Image Credit: Todd Williamson/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Bergman earned his second consecutive Emmy for his role as Jack Abbott.
1992 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Nicolas Coster, “Santa Barbara”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
Michael Zaslow, “Guiding Light” -
Peter Bergman, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (1991)
Image Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock Bergman earned the first of his three Emmys in this category for his role of Jack Abbott on the CBS soap.
1991 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Nicolas Coster, “Santa Barbara”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
James Reynolds, “Generations” -
A Martinez, ‘Santa Barbara’ (1990)
Image Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock Martinez earned his first Emmy for his role as Cruz Castillo on the NBC soap.
1990 Best Actor Nominees:
X — A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
Peter Bergman, “The Young and the Restless”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Stephen Schnetzer, “Another World” -
David Canary, ‘All My Children’ (1989)
Image Credit: Louis Lanzano/AP/Shutterstock Canary won his third Emmy, and his second consecutive prize in this category for playing Adam and Stuart Chandler.
1989 Best Actor Nominees:
X — David Canary, “All My Children”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
James Mitchell, “All My Children”
Douglass Watson, “Another World” -
David Canary, ‘All My Children’ (1988)
Image Credit: ABC Canary earned his second Emmy for his dual roles of Adam and Stuart Chandler.
1988 Best Actor Nominees:
X — David Canary, “All My Children”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Robert Gentry, “All My Children”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara”
Stephen Nichols, “Days of Our Lives” -
Larry Bryggman, ‘As the World Turns’ (1987)
Image Credit: CBS Bryggman earned his second Emmy in this category for his role as Dr. John Dixon.
1987 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Eric Braeden, “The Young and the Restless”
Scott Bryce, “As the World Turns”
Terry Lester, “The Young and the Restless”
A Martinez, “Santa Barbara” -
David Canary, ‘All My Children’ (1986)
Image Credit: ABC Canary won the first of five Emmys in this category for playing two roles– the ruthless Adam Chandler and his simple-minded twin brother Stuart.
1986 Best Actor Nominees:
X — David Canary, “All My Children”
Scott Bryce, “As the World Turns”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Nicolas Coster, “Santa Barbara”
Terry Lester, “The Young and the Restless”
Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live” -
Darnell Williams, ‘All My Children’ (1985)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock Williams earned his Emmy for his role as Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap.
1985 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Darnell Williams, “All My Children”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
David Canary, “All My Children”
Terry Lester, “The Young and the Restless”
James Mitchell, “All My Children” -
Larry Bryggman, ‘As the World Turns’ (1984)
Image Credit: CBS Brygmann earned his first Emmy for his role as the devious but brilliant Dr. John Dixon.
1984 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Joel Crothers, “The Edge of Night”
Stuart Damon, “General Hospital”
Terry Lester, “The Young and the Restless”
Larkin Malloy, “The Edge of Night”
James Mitchell, “All My Children” -
Robert S. Woods, ‘One Life to Live’ (1983)
Image Credit: Dario Cantatore/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Woods earned his Emmy for his role as Bo Buchanan, a role he played for more than thirty years until the show’s cancellation in 2012.
1983 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Robert S. Woods, “One Life to Live”
Peter Bergman, “All My Children”
Stuart Damon, “General Hospital”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
James Mitchell, “All My Children” -
Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ (1982)
Image Credit: Abc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Geary earned his first of a record eight Emmys for his role of Luke Spencer during the height of the Luke and Laura phenomenon.
1982 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Stuart Damon, “General Hospital”
James Mitchell, “All My Children”
Richard Schoberg, “All My Children” -
Douglass Watson, ‘Another World’ (1981)
Image Credit: NBC Watson earned his second consectutive Emmy for his role as Mac Cory.
1981 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Douglass Watson, “Another World”
Larry Bryggman, “As the World Turns”
Henderson Forsythe, “As the World Turns”
Anthony Geary, “General Hospital”
James Mitchell, “All My Children” -
Douglass Watson, ‘Another World’ (1980)
Image Credit: NBC Watson earned his first of two consecutive awards for his role as publishing tycoon Mac Cory on the NBC soap.
1980 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Douglass Watson, “Another World”
Jon Gabriel, “Ryan’s Hope”
Michael Levin, “Ryan’s Hope”
Franc Luz, “The Doctors”
James Mitchell, “All My Children”
William Mooney, “All My Children” -
Al Freeman Jr., ‘One Live to Live’ (1979)
Image Credit: Ben Mark Holzberg/Chris Rose Prod/Kobal/Shutterstock Winning for his role as Lt. Ed Hall, Freeman was the first of only four actors of color to win in this category.
1979 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Al Freeman Jr., “One Life to Live”
Jed Allan, “Days of Our Lives”
Nicholas Benedict, “All My Children”
John Clarke, “Days of Our Lives”
Joel Crothers, “The Edge of Night”
Michael Levin, “Ryan’s Hope” -
James Pritchett, ‘The Doctors’ (1978)
Image Credit: Nbc Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock Pritchett earned his Emmy for playing Chief of Staff Matt Powers on the long-running hospital drama.
1978 Best Actor Nominees:
X — James Pritchett, “The Doctors”
Matthew Cowles, “All My Children”
Larry Keith, “All My Children”
Michael Levin, “Ryan’s Hope”
Andrew Robinson, “Ryan’s Hope”
Michael Storm, “One Life to Live” -
Val Dufour, ‘Search For Tomorrow’ (1977)
Image Credit: AP/Shutterstock Dufour earned an Emmy for playing philandering attorney John Wyatt.
1977 Best Actor Nominees:
X — Val Dufour, “Search for Tomorrow”
Farley Granger, “One Life to Live”
Larry Haines, “Search for Tomorrow”
Larry Keith, “All My Children”
James Pritchett, “The Doctors” -
Larry Haines, ‘Search For Tomorrow’ (1976)
Image Credit: NBC Haines won for playing Stu Bergman on the CBS soap opera.
1976 Best Actor Nominees:
x — Larry Haines, “Search for Tomorrow”
John Beradino, “General Hospital”
Macdonald Carey, “Days of Our Lives”
Bill Hayes, “Days of Our Lives”
Michael Nouri, “Search for Tomorrow”
Shepperd Sturwick, “One Life to Live” -
Macdonald Carey, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (1975)
Image Credit: Globe Photos/Shutterstock Carey won his second consecutive Emmy for his role as Dr. Tom Horton.
1975 Best Actor Nominees:
x — Macdonald Carey, “Days of Our Lives”
John Beradino, “General Hospital”
Bill Hayes, “Days of Our Lives” -
Macdonald Carey, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (1975)
Image Credit: Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock At the first Daytime Emmy ceremony, Carey won for playing Dr. Tom Horton on the NBC series.
1974 Best Actor nominees:
X — Macdonald Carey, “Days of Our Lives”
John Beradino, “General Hospital”
Peter Hansen, “General Hospital”
