Dozens of women have won the Daytime Emmy Award for Best Actress since the award was first handed out by the television academy in 1974. And those winners represent some of the most legendary women and performances of all time. Scroll down to see every winner and who they were nominated against when they prevailed.
Arguably the most famous leading lady in soap opera history, Susan Lucci, only actually won this award once for her signature role as Erica Kane on “All My Children,” though it wasn’t for a lack of trying. In one of the most notorious losing streaks in awards history, she was nominated 19 times before finally prevailing in 1999, and with 21 bids she’s the most nominated performer in the history of this category.
One beloved star wasn’t nominated quite so many times, but she holds the record for the most Best Actress victories: Erika Slezak won six times between 1984 and 2005 for her role as Victoria Lord on “One Life to Live.” She became especially famous for playing Viki’s various alternate personalities. “OLTL” holds the record as the most awarded soap in this category with 11. In addition to Slezak’s six wins, Judith Light won twice, and Robin Strasser, Hillary B. Smith and Susan Haskell won once apiece.
And even though soap operas are famous for trading actors back and forth — especially as the number of shows diminished over time — only three women won this category for different series: Susan Flannery (“Days of Our Lives” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”), Maura West (“As the World Turns” and “General Hospital”) and Eileen Davidson (“Days” and “The Young and the Restless”).
Who’s your favorite winner ever? Who do you think should have won who didn’t?
-
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2021)
Image Credit: Francis Specker/CBS Wood earned her second Emmy for her role as Steffy Forrester thanks to a powerful storyline involving her addiction to opioids.
2021 Best Actress Nominees:
Melissa Claire Egan, “The Young and the Restless”
Genie Francis, “General Hospital”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
X — Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, “The Bold and the Beautiful” -
Heather Tom, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2020)
Image Credit: CBS Tom won for the third time in this category for her role as Katie Logan at a ceremony held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was her sixth Emmy win overall, tying Erika Slezak’s record as the most honored actress in soap history.
2020 Best Actress Nominees:
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Katherine Kelly Lang, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
X — Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Maura West, “General Hospital”
Arianne Zucker, “Days of Our Lives” -
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2019)
Image Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock After three previous nominations in the Younger and Supporting Actress categories, Wood earned her first Emmy for her role as Steffy Forrester.
2019 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Marci Miller, “Days of Our Lives”
Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Maura West, “General Hospital”
Laura Wright, “General Hospital” -
Eileen Davidson, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2018)
Image Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock After winning in this category for her role on “Days of Our Lives,” Davidson earned her second Emmy in this category, this time for her role as Ashley Abbott on the CBS soap.
2018 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Eileen Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Marci Miller, “Days of Our Lives”
Maura West, “General Hospital”
Laura Wright, “General Hospital” -
Gina Tognoni, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2017)
Image Credit: Nina Prommer/EPA/Shutterstock Tognoni earned two Emmys in the Supporting Actress category for “Guiding Light,” but this was her first Emmy for her role as Phyllis Summers on “The Young and the Restless.”
2017 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Gina Tognoni, “The Young and the Restless”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Jess Walton, “The Young and the Restless”
Laura Wright, “General Hospital” -
Mary Beth Evans, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (2016)
Image Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Evans earned her first Emmy in this category in 2016 for her role as Dr. Kayla Brady. That same year she earned two additional trophies as producer and star of the digital drama “The Bay: The Series.”
2016 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Mary Beth Evans, “Days of Our Lives”
Tracy E. Bregman, “The Young and the Restless”
Kassie DePaiva, “Days of Our Lives”
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Maura West, “General Hospital” -
Maura West, ‘General Hospital’ (2015)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock After two previous wins in this category for her work on “As the World Turns,” West earned her third Emmy for her role as the devious Ava Jerome on the ABC soap.
2015 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Maura West, “General Hospital”
Peggy McCay, “Days of Our Lives”
Alison Sweeney, “Days of Our Lives”
Gina Tognoni, “The Young and the Restless”
Laura Wright, “General Hospital” -
Eileen Davidson, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (2014)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Davidson earned her first career Emmy for her role as the villainous Kristen DiMiera on the NBC soap.
2014 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Eileen Davidson, “Days of Our Lives”
Katherine Kelly Lang, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Arianne Zucker, “Days of Our Lives” -
Heather Tom, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2013)
Image Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Tom earned her fifth career Emmy and her second consecutive win in this category for her role as Katie Logan.
2013 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Peggy McCay, “Days of Our Lives”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless” -
Heather Tom, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2012)
Image Credit: Todd Williamson/Invision/AP/Shutterstock With this win for her role as Katie Logan, Tom became the first actress to win Younger, Supporting and Lead Actress Emmys. Her two Younger Actress wins were for her role on “The Young and the Restless.”
2012 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Heather Tom, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Crystal Chappell, “Guiding Light”
Debbi Morgan, “All My Children”
Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Laura Wright, “General Hospital” -
Laura Wright, ‘General Hospital’ (2011)
Image Credit: Unimedia/Shutterstock A consistent presence on Daytime Dramas since 1991, Wright earned her first Emmy for her role as the strong-willed Carly Corinthos on the ABC soap.
2011 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Laura Wright, “General Hospital”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Alicia Minshew, “All My Children”
Debbi Morgan, “All My Children”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Colleen Zenk, “As the World Turns” -
Maura West, ‘As the World Turns’ (2010)
Image Credit: Graziano Quaglia/Shutterstock West brought her daughter onstage with her to accept her second Emmy for playing Carly Tenney on the CBS soap.
2010 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Maura West, “As the World Turns”
Sarah Brown, “General Hospital”
Crystal Chappell, “Guiding Light”
Bobbie Eakes, “All My Children”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless” -
Susan Haskell, ‘One Life to Live’ (2009)
Image Credit: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock Haskell earned her first Emmy in this category for the role of Marty Saybrooke following a win in the Supporting Actress category in 1994 for the same role.
2009 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Haskell, “One Life to Live”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Debbi Morgan, “All My Children”
Maura West, “General Hospital” -
Jeanne Cooper, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2008)
Image Credit: Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock After 10 previous nominations in both Daytime and Primetime, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2004, Cooper won her first competitive Emmy for role as Katherine Chancellor. Cooper played the role for 40 years.
2008 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Crystal Chappell, “Guiding Light”
Nicole Forester, “Guiding Light”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Maura West, “As the World Turns” -
Maura West, ‘As the World Turns’ (2007)
Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock West famously claimed that she felt like vomiting as she claimed her first Emmy for her role as Carly Tenney on the CBS soap.
2007 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Maura West, “As the World Turns”
Crystal Chappell, “Guiding Light”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Kim Zimmer, ‘Guiding Light’ (2006)
Image Credit: Reed Saxon/AP/Shutterstock Zimmer earned her fourth win in this category for her iconic role as Reva Lewis.
2006 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light”
Bobbie Eakes, “All My Children”
Beth Ehlers, “Guiding Light”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Kelly Monaco, “General Hospital” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (2005)
Image Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock The record holder for the most wins in this category, Slezak earned her sixth Best Actress Emmy for her role as Victoria Lord.
2005 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Martha Byrne, “As the World Turns”
Kassie DePaiva, “One Life to Live”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Juliet Mills, “Passions”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Michelle Stafford, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (2004)
Image Credit: Tina Fineberg/AP/Shutterstock Stafford earned her second Emmy, and her first in this category, for her role as Phyllis Summers.
2004 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Tamara Braun, “General Hospital”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Maura West, “As the World Turns”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Susan Flannery, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2003)
Image Credit: Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock Flannery earned her third Emmy (her fourth win overall) for her role as Stephanie Forrester.
2003 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Eileen Davidson, “The Young and the Restless”
Nancy Lee Grahn, “General Hospital”
Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Susan Flannery, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2002)
Image Credit: Carolyn Contino/BEI/Shutterstock Flannery earned her third Emmy in this category, and her second as matriarch Stephanie Forrester.
2002 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Martha Byrne, “As the World Turns”
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Colleen Zenk Pinter, “As the World Turns” -
Martha Byrne, ‘As the World Turns’ (2001)
Image Credit: Stuart Ramson/AP/Shutterstock Byrne began appearing on “ATWT” at the age of 15. She earned her first Lead Actress Emmy for her roles as twin sisters Lily and Rose.
2001 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Martha Byrne, “As the World Turn”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Marcy Walker, “All My Children” -
Susan Flannery, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (2000)
Image Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock After winning in this category in 1975 for her role on “Days of Our Lives,” Flannery earned her first of three additional Emmys for her role as fashion mogul Stephanie Forrester on the CBS soap.
2000 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Flannery, “The Bold and the Beautiful”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Hillary B. Smith, “One Life to Live”
Jess Walton, “The Young and the Restless” -
Susan Lucci, ‘All My Children’ (1999)
Image Credit: Benjamin Luzon/AP/Shutterstock After losing in this category 18 times previously, Lucci finally took home her first Emmy for her iconic role as Erica Kane.
1999 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Melody Thomas Scott, “The Young and the Restless”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Cynthia Watros, ‘Guiding Light’ (1998)
Image Credit: Mark Lennihan/AP/Shutterstock Watros won for her role as the psychotic Annie Dutton on the CBS soap.
1998 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Cynthia Watros, “Guiding Light”
Eileen Davidson, “Days of Our Lives”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Jacklyn Zeman, “General Hospital”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Jess Walton, ‘The Young and the Restless’ (1997)
Image Credit: Ron Frehm/AP/Shutterstock After winning in the Supporting Actress category for the same role, Walton earned her first win in this category for playing Jill Abbott.
1997 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Jess Walton, “The Young and the Restless”
Jensen Buchanan, “Another World”
Genie Francis, “General Hospital”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (1996)
Image Credit: Ron Frehm/AP/Shutterstock Slezak earned the fifth of her six Emmys in this category for a bravura storyline in which her character remembers murdering her abusive father.
1996 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Jensen Buchanan, “Another World”
Linda Dano, “Another World”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Jess Walton, “The Young and the Restless” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (1995)
Image Credit: Paul Hurschmann/AP/Shutterstock Slezak’s fourth Emmy win for the role of Victoria Lord came for a storyline involving Victoria’s long struggle with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
1995 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Leslie Charleson, “General Hospital”
Marj Dusay, “Guiding Light”
Maeve Kinkead, “Guiding Light”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Hillary B. Smith, ‘One Life to Live’ (1994)
Image Credit: Dario Cantatore/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Smith earned her Emmy for her role as impassioned attorney Nora Gannon, who is torn by her responsibility to defend an accused rapist.
1994 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Hillary B. Smith, “One Life to Live”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Linda Dano, “Another World”
Fiona Hutchinson, “Guiding Light”
Kathleen Widdoes, “As the World Turns” -
Linda Dano, ‘Another World’ (1993)
Image Credit: Borislav Stanic/Shutterstock Dano won for playing Felicia Gallant, the glamorous romance novelist who descends into alcoholism.
1993 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Linda Dano, “Another World”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Ellen Dolan, “As the World Turns”
Maeve Kinkead, “Guiding Light”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (1992)
Image Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock Slezak earned her third career Emmy win for her role as Victoria Lord.
1992 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Jessica Tuck, “One Life to Live” -
Finola Hughes, ‘General Hospital’ (1991)
Image Credit: Globe Photos/Mediapunch/Shutterstock Hughes won for her role as Anna Devane, making her the first actress from “General Hospital” to win in this category.
1991 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Kim Zimmer, ‘Guiding Light’ (1990)
Image Credit: CBS Zimmer earned her third Emmy for her role as Reva Shayne on the CBS soap.
1990 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Finola Hughes, “General Hospital”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Marcy Walker, ‘Santa Barbara’ (1989)
Image Credit: NBC Walker earned her Emmy for her role of Eden Capwell, who struggles to deal with a brutal sexual assault.
1989 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Marcy Walker, “Santa Barbara”
Jeanne Cooper, “The Young and the Restless”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Helen Gallagher, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ (1988)
Image Credit: ABC Two-time Tony-winner Gallagher earned the last of three Emmys in this category for her role as Maeve Ryan.
1988 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Helen Gallagher, “Ryan’s Hope”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Marcy Walker, “Santa Barbara” -
Kim Zimmer, ‘Guiding Light’ (1987)
Image Credit: CBS Zimmer won the second of four Emmys in this category for her role as Reva Shayne.
1987 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Life”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Frances Reid, “Days of Our Lives”
Marcy Walker, “Santa Barbara” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (1986)
Image Credit: ABC Slezak earned the second of six Emmys in this category for her role as Victoria Lord.
1986 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Elizabeth Hubbard, “As the World Turns”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Peggy McCay, “Days of Our Live”
Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light” -
Kim Zimmer, ‘Guiding Light’ (1985)
Image Credit: CBS Zimmer earned the first of four Emmys in this category for her role as Reva Shayne, who baptized herself the “Slut of Springfield.”
1985 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Kim Zimmer, “Guiding Light”
Deidre Hall, “Days of Our Lives”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Gillian Spencer, “All My Children”
Robin Strasser, “One Life to Live” -
Erika Slezak, ‘One Life to Live’ (1984)
Image Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock Slezak earned the first of a record six wins in this category for her role as Victoria Lord.
1984 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Ann Flood, “The Edge of Night”
Sharon Gabet, “The Edge of Night”
Deidre Hall, “Days of Our Lives”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Dorothy Lyman, ‘All My Children’ (1983)
Image Credit: ABC Lyman won for her role as the eclectic Opal Gardner.
1983 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Dorothy Lyman, “All My Children”
Leslie Charleson, “General Hospital”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Erika Slezak, “One Life to Live”
Robin Strasser, “One Life to Live” -
Robin Strasser, ‘One Life to Live’ (1982)
Image Credit: Mark J Terrill/AP/Shutterstock Strasser won for playing the conniving Dorian Lord on the ABC soap.
1982 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Robin Strasser, “One Life to Life”
Leslie Charleson, “General Hospital”
Ann Flood, “The Edge of Night”
Sharon Gabbet, “The Edge of Night”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children” -
Judith Light, ‘One Life to Live’ (1981)
Image Credit: ABC Light earned her second consecutive Emmy for her role as fallen vixen Karen Wolek.
1981 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Judith Light, “One Life to Live”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Helen Gallagher, “Ryan’s Hope”
Susan Lucci, “All My Children”
Robin Strasser, “One Life to Live” -
Judith Light, ‘One Life to Live’ (1980)
Image Credit: ABC Light earned her first of two consecutive Emmys for her role as Karen Wolek, whose emotional admission of prositution on the witness stand is among the most iconic moments in soap history.
1980 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Judith Light, “One Life to Live”
Julia Barr, “All My Children”
Leslie Charleson, “General Hospital”
Kim Hunter, “The Edge of Night”
Beverlee McKinsey, “Another World”
Kathleen Noone, “All My Children” -
Irene Dailey, ‘Another World’ (1979)
Image Credit: NBC Dailey earned her Emmy for the role of the meddling but loveable Aunt Liz on the NBC soap.
1979 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Irene Dailey, “Another World”
Nancy Addison, “Ryan’s Hope”
Helen Gallagher, “Ryan’s Hope”
Susan Seaforth Hayes, “Days of Our Lives”
Beverlee McKinsey, “Another World”
Victoria Wyndham, “Another World” -
Laurie Heineman, ‘Another World’ (1978)
Image Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock Heineman won for her role as Sharlene Hudson. The role was later played by Anna Holbrook, who also won an Emmy for playing the role.
1978 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Laurie Heineman, “Another World”
Mary Fickett, “All My Children”
Jennifer Harmon, “One Life to Live”
Susan Seaforth Hayes, “Days of Our Lives”
Beverlee McKinsey, “Another World”
Victoria Wyndham, “Another World” -
Helen Gallagher, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ (1977)
Image Credit: ABC Gallagher earned the second of her three Emmys for her role as Maeve Ryan.
1977 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Helen Gallagher, “Ryan’s Hope”
Nancy Addison, “Ryan’s Hope”
Beverlee McKinsey, “Another World”
Mary Stuart, “Search for Tomorrow”
Ruth Warrick, “All My Children” -
Helen Gallagher, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ (1976)
Image Credit: ABC Gallagher earned the first of three Emmys in this category for her role of the matriarchal Maeve Ryan on the ABC soap.
1976 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Helen Gallagher, “Ryan’s Hope”
Denise Alexander, “General Hospital”
Susan Seafoth Hayes, “Days of Our Lives’
Frances Haflin, “All My Children”
Mary Stuart, “Search for Tomorrow” -
Susan Flannery, ‘Days of Our Lives’ (1975)
Image Credit: Media Press/Shutterstock Flannery won the first of four Emmys in this category as Laura Horton. She would win an additional three Emmys for her role as Stephanie Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
1975 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Susan Flannery, “Days of Our Lives”
Rachel Ames, “General Hospital”
Susan Seaforth, “Days of Our Lives”
Ruth Warrick, “All My Children” -
Elizabeth Hubbard, ‘The Doctors’ (1974)
Image Credit: NBC At the Daytime Emmy’s inagural ceremony, Hubbard earned the first Emmy in this category for her role on “The Doctors.” She would go on to earn additional eight nominations in this category for her role on “As the World Turns.”
1974 Best Actress Nominees:
X — Elizabeth Hubbard, “The Doctors”
Rachel Ames, “General Hospital”
Mary Fickett, “All My Children”
Mary Stuart, “Search for Tomorrow”
