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Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Award for lead actress in a television comedy series


Award for lead actress in a television comedy series

FieldValue
namePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
imageJean Smart by Gage Skidmore.jpg
image_upright0.7
captionThe 2025 recipient: Jean Smart
awarded_forOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
presenterAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences
countryUnited States
year1954
holderJean Smart,
Hacks (2025)
website

Hacks (2025)

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beginning with 1966, leading actresses in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performances included actresses from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

  • # – Indicates a performance in a Miniseries or Television film, prior to the category's creation
  • § – Indicates a performance as a guest performer, prior to the category's creation

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards were the first and, so far, only Emmys where there is no representation from any of the big four broadcast networks.

Winners and nominations

1950s

YearActressRoleProgramNetworkBest Female Star of a Regular SeriesBest Actress Starring in a Regular SeriesBest Actress - Continuing PerformanceBest Continuing Performance by an ActressBest Continuing Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy SeriesBest Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series
1954
(6th)
Early Emmy ceremonies did not have genre-specific acting categories
Eve ArdenConnie Brooks*Our Miss Brooks*CBS
Lucille BallLucy RicardoI Love LucyCBS
Imogene CocaVarious charactersYour Show of ShowsNBC
Dinah ShoreHerselfThe Dinah Shore Show
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young Show
1955
(7th)
Loretta YoungVarious characters*The Loretta Young Show*NBC
Gracie AllenGracie AllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowCBS
Eve ArdenConnie BrooksOur Miss Brooks
Lucille BallLucy RicardoI Love Lucy
Ann SothernSusie McNamaraPrivate Secretary
1956
(8th)
Lucille BallLucy Ricardo*I Love Lucy*CBS
Gracie AllenGracie AllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowCBS
Eve ArdenConnie BrooksOur Miss Brooks
Jean HagenMargaret WilliamsMake Room for DaddyABC
Ann SothernSusie McNamaraPrivate SecretaryCBS
1957
(9th)
Loretta YoungVarious characters*The Loretta Young Show*NBC
Jan ClaytonEllen MillerLassieCBS
Ida LupinoVarious charactersFour Star Playhouse
Peggy WoodMamaMama
Jane WymanVarious charactersJane Wyman TheatreNBC
1958
(10th)
Jane WyattMargaret Anderson*Father Knows Best*NBC
Eve ArdenLiza HammondThe Eve Arden ShowCBS
Spring ByingtonLily RuskinDecember Bride
Jan ClaytonEllen MillerLassie
Ida LupinoEve DrakeMr. Adams and Eve
1959
(11th)
Jane WyattMargaret Anderson*Father Knows Best*CBS & NBC
Gracie AllenGracie AllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowCBS
Spring ByingtonLily RuskinDecember Bride
Ida LupinoEve AdamsMr. Adams and Eve
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Ann SothernKaty O'ConnorThe Ann Sothern ShowCBS

1960s

YearActressRoleProgramNetworkOutstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead or Support)Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment - Actors and PerformersOutstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series
1960
(12th)
Jane WyattMargaret Anderson*Father Knows Best*CBS
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Teresa WrightMargaret Bourke-WhiteNBC Sunday ShowcaseNBC
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young Show
1961
(13th)
Barbara StanwyckVarious characters*The Barbara Stanwyck Show*NBC
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young ShowNBC
1962
(14th)
Shirley BoothHazel Burke*Hazel*NBC
Gertrude BergSarah GreenThe Gertrude Berg ShowCBS
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Mary StuartJoanne GardnerSearch for TomorrowCBS
Cara WilliamsGladys PorterPete and Gladys
1963
(15th)
Shirley BoothHazel Burke*Hazel*NBC
Lucille BallLucy CarmichaelThe Lucy ShowCBS
Shirl ConwayLiz ThorpeThe Nurses
Mary Tyler MooreLaura PetrieThe Dick Van Dyke Show
Irene RyanGrannyThe Beverly Hillbillies
1964
(16th)
Mary Tyler MooreLaura Petrie*The Dick Van Dyke Show*CBS
Shirley BoothHazel BurkeHazelNBC
Patty DukeCathy LaneThe Patty Duke ShowABC
Irene RyanGrannyThe Beverly HillbilliesCBS
Inger StevensKaty HolstrumThe Farmer's DaughterABC
1965
(17th)
Early Emmy ceremonies did not have genre-specific acting categories
Leonard BernsteinConductor*New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein*CBS
Lynn FontanneFanny Bowditch HolmesHallmark Hall of Fame: "The Magnificent Yankee"NBC
Alfred LuntOliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Barbra StreisandHerself*My Name Is Barbra*CBS
Dick Van DykeRob Petrie*The Dick Van Dyke Show*
Julie AndrewsHerselfThe Andy Williams Show: "November 30, 1964"NBC
Johnny CarsonHostThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Gladys CooperMargaret St. ClairThe Rogues
Robert CooteTimmy St. Clair
Richard CrennaJames SlatterySlattery's PeopleCBS
Julie HarrisFlorence NightingaleHallmark Hall of Fame: "The Holy Terror"NBC
Bob HopeHimselfChrysler Presents A Bob Hope Comedy Special
Dean JaggerPrincipal Albert VaneMr. Novak
Danny KayeHostThe Danny Kaye ShowCBS
David McCallumIllya KuryakinThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.NBC
Red SkeltonHimselfThe Red Skelton HourCBS
1966
(18th)
Mary Tyler MooreLaura Petrie*The Dick Van Dyke Show*CBS
Lucille BallLucy CarmichaelThe Lucy ShowCBS
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
1967
(19th)
Lucille BallLucy Carmichael*The Lucy Show*CBS
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
Agnes MooreheadEndora
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat Girl
1968
(20th)
Lucille BallLucy Carmichael*The Lucy Show*CBS
Barbara FeldonAgent 99Get SmartNBC
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
Paula PrentissPaula HollisterHe & SheCBS
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat GirlABC
1969
(21st)
Hope LangeCarolyn Muir*The Ghost & Mrs. Muir*NBC
Diahann CarrollJulia BakerJuliaNBC
Barbara FeldonAgent 99Get Smart
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC

1970s

YearActressRoleProgramNetwork
1970
(22nd)
Hope LangeCarolyn Muir*The Ghost & Mrs. Muir*ABC
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat Girl
1971
(23rd)
Jean StapletonEdith Bunker*All in the Family*CBS
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat GirlABC
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowCBS
1972
(24th)
Jean StapletonEdith Bunker*All in the Family*CBS
Sandy DuncanSandy StocktonFunny FaceCBS
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1973
(25th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary Richards*The Mary Tyler Moore Show*CBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaude
1974
(26th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary Richards*The Mary Tyler Moore Show*CBS
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the Family
1975
(27th)
Valerie HarperRhoda Morgenstern*Rhoda*CBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1976
(28th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary Richards*The Mary Tyler Moore Show*CBS
Lee GrantFay StewartFayNBC
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Cloris LeachmanPhyllis LindstromPhyllis
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
1977
(29th)
Bea ArthurMaude Findlay*Maude*CBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
Suzanne PleshetteEmily HartleyThe Bob Newhart Show
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1978
(30th)
Jean StapletonEdith Bunker*All in the Family*CBS
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
Cathryn DamonMary CampbellSoapABC
Katherine HelmondJessica Tate
Suzanne PleshetteEmily HartleyThe Bob Newhart ShowCBS
1979
(31st)
Ruth Gordon §Dee Wilcox*Taxi*ABC
Linda LavinAlice HyattAliceCBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the Family
Katherine HelmondJessica TateSoapABC
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe JeffersonsCBS

1980s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
1980
(32nd)
Cathryn DamonMary Campbell*Soap*ABC
Polly HollidayFlo CastleberryFloCBS
Sheree North §Dotty WertzArchie Bunker's Place
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
Katherine HelmondJessica TateSoapABC
1981
(33rd)
Isabel SanfordLouise Jefferson*The Jeffersons*"And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds"CBS
Eileen Brennan §Mrs. McKenzieTaxi"Thy Boss's Wife"ABC
Cathryn DamonMary CampbellSoap
Katherine HelmondJessica Tate
Lynn RedgraveAnn AtkinsonHouse CallsCBS
1982
(34th)
Carol Kane §Simka Dahblitz*Taxi*"Simka Returns"ABC
Swoosie KurtzLaurie MorganLove, SidneyNBC
Nell CarterNellie HarperGimme a Break!
Charlotte RaeEdna GarrettThe Facts of Life
Bonnie FranklinAnn RomanoOne Day at a TimeCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1983
(35th)
Shelley LongDiane Chambers*Cheers*"Give Me a Ring Sometime"NBC
Mariette HartleyJennifer BarnesGoodnight, BeantownCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
Nell CarterNellie HarperGimme a Break!NBC
Swoosie KurtzLaurie MorganLove, Sidney
Rita MorenoViolet Newstead9 to 5ABC
1984
(36th)
Jane CurtinAllie Lowell*Kate & Allie*CBS
Joanna CassidyJo Jo WhiteBuffalo BillNBC
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheers
Susan Saint JamesKate McArdleKate & AllieCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1985
(37th)
Jane CurtinAllie Lowell*Kate & Allie*CBS
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheersNBC
Phylicia RashadClair HuxtableThe Cosby Show
Susan Saint JamesKate McArdleKate & AllieCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1986
(38th)
Betty WhiteRose Nylund*The Golden Girls*"In a Bed of Rose's"NBC
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheersNBC
Bea ArthurDorothy ZbornakThe Golden Girls"The Triangle"
Rue McClanahanBlanche Devereaux"The Way We Met"
Phylicia RashadClair HuxtableThe Cosby Show"Cliff in Love"
1987
(39th)
Rue McClanahanBlanche Devereaux*The Golden Girls*"End of the Curse"NBC
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly DoddNBC
Bea ArthurDorothy ZbornakThe Golden Girls"The Stan Who Came to Dinner"
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"Isn't It Romantic?"
Jane CurtinAllie LowellKate & AllieCBS
1988
(40th)
Bea ArthurDorothy Zbornak*The Golden Girls*"My Brother, My Father"NBC
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"Backseat Becky, Upfront"NBC
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Rue McClanahanBlanche DevereauxThe Golden Girls"Strange Bedfellows"
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"Bringing Up Baby"
1989
(41st)
Candice BergenMurphy Brown*Murphy Brown*"Respect"CBS
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly DoddLifetime
Rue McClanahanBlanche DevereauxThe Golden Girls"Yes, We Have No Havanas"NBC
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"High Anxiety"
Bea ArthurDorothy Zbornak"Love Me Tender"

1990s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
1990
(42nd)
Candice BergenMurphy Brown*Murphy Brown*"Brown Like Me"CBS
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"The Improbable Dream, Part 1"NBC
Betty WhiteRose NylundThe Golden Girls"Rose Fights Back"
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly DoddLifetime
Delta BurkeSuzanne SugarbakerDesigning Women"They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?"CBS
1991
(43rd)
Kirstie AlleyRebecca Howe*Cheers*"The Days of Wine and Neuroses"NBC
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"On Another Plane"CBS
Delta BurkeSuzanne SugarbakerDesigning Women"The Bachelor Auction"
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd"Here's a Pregnant Pause"Lifetime
Betty WhiteRose NylundThe Golden Girls"Once, in St. Olaf"NBC
1992
(44th)
Candice BergenMurphy Brown*Murphy Brown*"Birth 101"CBS
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"A Bitter Pill to Swallow"ABC
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"An Old Fashioned Wedding"NBC
Tyne Daly §Mimsy BorogrovesWings"My Brother's Keeper"
Betty WhiteRose NylundThe Golden Girls"Dateline: Miami"
Marion RossSophie BergerBrooklyn Bridge"Brave New World"CBS
1993
(45th)
Roseanne BarrRoseanne Conner*Roseanne*"Wait Till Your Father Gets Home"ABC
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"Games Mothers Play"CBS
Marion RossSophie BergerBrooklyn Bridge"Brave New Worlds"
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"One for the Road"NBC
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"Pilot"
1994
(46th)
Candice BergenMurphy Brown*Murphy Brown*"It's Just Like Riding a Bike"CBS
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"Cold Feet"NBC
Annie PottsDana PalladinoLove & War"I've Got a Crush on You"CBS
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"The Driver's Seat"ABC
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"The Colonel"
1995
(47th)
Candice BergenMurphy Brown*Murphy Brown*"Requiem for a Crew Guy"CBS
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"Thanksgiving 1994"ABC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"The Spa"
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"The Ride Home"NBC
Cybill ShepherdCybill SheridanCybill"Virgin, Mother, Crone"CBS
1996
(48th)
Helen HuntJamie Buchman*Mad About You*"The Finale"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"Witness"ABC
Fran DrescherFran FineThe Nanny"The Hockey Show"CBS
Cybill ShepherdCybill SheridanCybill"When You're Hot, You're Hot"
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"The Longest Day"ABC
1997
(49th)
Helen HuntJamie Buchman*Mad About You*"The Birth"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"The Puppy Episode"ABC
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"Family Unties"
Fran DrescherFran FineThe Nanny"The Facts of Lice"CBS
Cybill ShepherdCybill SheridanCybill"In Her Dreams"
1998
(50th)
Helen HuntJamie Buchman*Mad About You*"Moody Blues"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"Neighbors"ABC
Jenna ElfmanDharma MontgomeryDharma & Greg"Haus Arrest"
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"Bright Christmas"
Kirstie AlleyVeronica ChaseVeronica's Closet"Pilot"NBC
Calista FlockhartAlly McBealAlly McBeal"One Hundred Tears Away"Fox
1999
(51st)
Helen HuntJamie Buchman*Mad About You*"The Final Frontier"NBC
Jenna ElfmanDharma MontgomeryDharma & Greg"Are You Ready for Some Football?"ABC
Calista FlockhartAlly McBealAlly McBeal"Sideshow"Fox
Patricia HeatonDebra BaroneEverybody Loves Raymond"Be Nice"CBS
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie BradshawSex and the City"The Drought"HBO

2000s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
2000
(52nd)
Patricia HeatonDebra Barone*Everybody Loves Raymond*"Bad Moon Rising"CBS
Jenna ElfmanDharma MontgomeryDharma & Greg"Lawyers, Beer, and Money"ABC
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Red Dress"Fox
Debra MessingGrace AdlerWill & Grace"Das Boob"NBC
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie BradshawSex and the City"Ex and the City"HBO
2001
(53rd)
Patricia HeatonDebra Barone*Everybody Loves Raymond*"The Canister"CBS
Calista FlockhartAlly McBealAlly McBeal"Falling Up"Fox
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Flashback"
Debra MessingGrace AdlerWill & Grace"Lows in the Mid-Eighties"NBC
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie BradshawSex and the City"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"HBO
2002
(54th)
Jennifer AnistonRachel Green*Friends*"The One Where Rachel Has a Baby"NBC
Patricia HeatonDebra BaroneEverybody Loves Raymond"A Vote for Debra"CBS
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Poker"Fox
Debra MessingGrace AdlerWill & Grace"Bed, Bath and Beyond"NBC
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie BradshawSex and the City"The Real Me"HBO
2003
(55th)
Debra MessingGrace Adler*Will & Grace*"The Kid Stays Out of the Picture"NBC
Jennifer AnistonRachel GreenFriends"The One Where Monica Sings"NBC
Patricia HeatonDebra BaroneEverybody Loves Raymond"Baggage"CBS
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Baby"Fox
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie BradshawSex and the City"Anchors Away"HBO
2004
(56th)
Sarah Jessica ParkerCarrie Bradshaw*Sex and the City*"An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)"HBO
Jennifer AnistonRachel GreenFriends"The One with Rachel's Going Away Party"NBC
Patricia HeatonDebra BaroneEverybody Loves Raymond"Fun with Debra"CBS
Bonnie HuntBonnie MalloyLife with Bonnie"Ironing Out Our Differences"ABC
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Block Party"Fox
2005
(57th)
Felicity HuffmanLynette Scavo*Desperate Housewives*"Pilot"ABC
Marcia CrossBree Van de KampDesperate Housewives"Running to Stand Still"ABC
Teri HatcherSusan Mayer"Move On"
Patricia HeatonDebra BaroneEverybody Loves Raymond"The Finale"CBS
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Lois Battles Jamie"Fox
2006
(58th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusChristine Campbell*The New Adventures of Old Christine*"Supertramp"CBS
Stockard ChanningLydia BarnesOut of Practice"And I'll Cry If I Want To"CBS
Jane KaczmarekLoisMalcolm in the Middle"Lois Strikes Back"Fox
Lisa KudrowValerie CherishThe Comeback"Valerie Does Another Classic Leno"HBO
Debra MessingGrace AdlerWill & Grace"The Finale"NBC
2007
(59th)
America FerreraBetty Suarez*Ugly Betty*"Pilot"ABC
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"Up All Night"NBC
Felicity HuffmanLynette ScavoDesperate Housewives"Bang"ABC
Julia Louis-DreyfusChristine CampbellThe New Adventures of Old Christine"Playdate with Destiny"CBS
Mary-Louise ParkerNancy BotwinWeeds"Mrs. Botwin's Neighborhood"Showtime
2008
(60th)
Tina FeyLiz Lemon*30 Rock*"Sandwich Day"NBC
Christina ApplegateSamantha NewlySamantha Who?"The Restraining Order"ABC
America FerreraBetty SuarezUgly Betty"Odor in the Court"
Julia Louis-DreyfusChristine CampbellThe New Adventures of Old Christine"One and a Half Men"CBS
Mary-Louise ParkerNancy BotwinWeeds"Bill Sussman"Showtime
2009
(61st)
Toni ColletteTara Gregson*United States of Tara*"Pilot"Showtime
Christina ApplegateSamantha NewlySamantha Who?"The Pill"ABC
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"Reunion"NBC
Julia Louis-DreyfusChristine CampbellThe New Adventures of Old Christine"Everyone Says I Love You Except Richie"CBS
Mary-Louise ParkerNancy BotwinWeeds"Lady's a Charm"Showtime
Sarah SilvermanSarah SilvermanThe Sarah Silverman Program"There's No Place Like Homeless"Comedy Central

2010s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
2010
(62nd)
Edie FalcoJackie Peyton*Nurse Jackie*"Pilot"Showtime
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"Dealbreakers Talk Show#0001"NBC
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"Telethon"
Toni ColletteTara GregsonUnited States of Tara"Torando!"Showtime
Julia Louis-DreyfusChristine CampbellThe New Adventures of Old Christine"I Love What You Do for Me"CBS
Lea MicheleRachel BerryGlee"Sectionals"Fox
2011
(63rd)
Melissa McCarthyMolly Flynn*Mike & Molly*"First Date"CBS
Edie FalcoJackie PeytonNurse Jackie"Rat Falls"Showtime
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"Double-Edged Sword"NBC
Laura LinneyCathy JamisonThe Big C"Pilot"Showtime
Martha PlimptonVirginia ChanceRaising Hope"Say Cheese"Fox
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"Flu Season"NBC
2012
(64th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Tears"HBO
Zooey DeschanelJessica DayNew Girl"Bad in Bed"Fox
Lena DunhamHannah HorvathGirls"She Did"HBO
Edie FalcoJackie PeytonNurse Jackie"Disneyland Sucks"Showtime
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"The Tuxedo Begins"NBC
Melissa McCarthyMolly FlynnMike & Molly"The Dress"CBS
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"Win, Lose, or Draw"NBC
2013
(65th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Running"HBO
Laura DernAmy JellicoeEnlightened"All I Ever Wanted"HBO
Lena DunhamHannah HorvathGirls"Bad Friend"
Edie FalcoJackie PeytonNurse Jackie"Luck of the Drawing"Showtime
Tina FeyLiz Lemon30 Rock"Hogcock!" + "Last Lunch"NBC
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"Emergency Response" + "Leslie and Ben"
2014
(66th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Crate"HBO
Lena DunhamHannah HorvathGirls"Beach House"HBO
Edie FalcoJackie PeytonNurse Jackie"Super Greens"Showtime
Melissa McCarthyMolly FlynnMike & Molly"Mind Over Molly"CBS
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"Recall Vote"NBC
Taylor SchillingPiper ChapmanOrange Is the New Black"The Chickening"Netflix
2015
(67th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Election Night"HBO
Edie FalcoJackie PeytonNurse Jackie"I Say a Little Prayer"Showtime
Lisa KudrowValerie CherishThe Comeback"Valerie Is Taken Seriously"HBO
Amy PoehlerLeslie KnopeParks and Recreation"One Last Ride"NBC
Amy SchumerVarious charactersInside Amy Schumer"Cool With It"Comedy Central
Lily TomlinFrankie BergsteinGrace and Frankie"The Vows"Netflix
2016
(68th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Mother"HBO
Ellie KemperKimmy SchmidtUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"Kimmy Goes to a Hotel!"Netflix
Laurie MetcalfDr. Jenna JamesGetting On"Am I Still Me?"HBO
Tracee Ellis RossDr. Rainbow JohnsonBlack-ish"Sink or Swim"ABC
Amy SchumerVarious charactersInside Amy Schumer"Welcome to the Gun Show"Comedy Central
Lily TomlinFrankie BergsteinGrace and Frankie"The Test"Netflix
2017
(69th)
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina Meyer*Veep*"Groundbreaking"HBO
Pamela AdlonSam FoxBetter Things"Future Fever"FX
Allison JanneyBonnie PlunkettMom"Tush Push and Some Radishes"CBS
Ellie KemperKimmy SchmidtUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"Kimmy Goes to College!"Netflix
Jane FondaGrace HansonGrace and Frankie"The Pot"
Tracee Ellis RossDr. Rainbow JohnsonBlack-ish"Being Bow-racial"ABC
Lily TomlinFrankie BergsteinGrace and Frankie"The Burglary"Netflix
2018
(70th)
Rachel BrosnahanMiriam "Midge" Maisel*The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*"Thank You and Good Night"Amazon
Pamela AdlonSam FoxBetter Things"Eulogy"FX
Allison JanneyBonnie PlunkettMom"Phone Confetti and a Wee Dingle"CBS
Issa RaeIssa DeeInsecure"Hella Great"HBO
Tracee Ellis RossDr. Rainbow JohnsonBlack-ish"Elder. Scam."ABC
Lily TomlinFrankie BergsteinGrace and Frankie"The Home"Netflix
2019
(71st)
Phoebe Waller-BridgeFleabag*Fleabag*"Episode 1"Amazon
Christina ApplegateJen HardingDead to Me"I've Gotta Get Away"Netflix
Rachel BrosnahanMiriam "Midge" MaiselThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"Midnight at the Concord"Amazon
Julia Louis-DreyfusSelina MeyerVeep"Veep"HBO
Natasha LyonneNadia VulvokovRussian Doll"Nothing in This World Is Easy"Netflix
Catherine O'HaraMoira RoseSchitt's Creek"The Crowening"Pop TV

2020s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionNetwork
2020
(72nd)
Catherine O'HaraMoira Rose*Schitt's Creek*"The Incident"Pop TV
Christina ApplegateJen HardingDead to Me"It's Not You, It's Me"Netflix
Rachel BrosnahanMiriam "Midge" MaiselThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo..."Amazon
Linda CardelliniJudy HaleDead to Me"If Only You Knew"Netflix
Issa RaeIssa DeeInsecure"Lowkey Happy"HBO
Tracee Ellis RossDr. Rainbow JohnsonBlack-ish"Kid Life Crisis"ABC
2021
(73rd)
Jean SmartDeborah Vance*Hacks*"1.69 Million"HBO Max
Aidy BryantAnnie EastonShrill"Ranchers"Hulu
Kaley CuocoCassie BowdenThe Flight Attendant"In Case of Emergency"HBO Max
Allison JanneyBonnie PlunkettMom"My Kinda People and the Big To-Do"CBS
Tracee Ellis RossDr. Rainbow JohnsonBlack-ish"Babes in Boyland"ABC
2022
(74th)
Jean SmartDeborah Vance*Hacks*"The Click"HBO Max
Rachel BrosnahanMiriam "Midge" MaiselThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?"Prime Video
Quinta BrunsonJanine TeaguesAbbott Elementary"Pilot"ABC
Kaley CuocoCassie BowdenThe Flight Attendant"Drowning Women"HBO Max
Elle FanningCatherine the GreatThe Great"Alone at Last"Hulu
Issa RaeIssa DeeInsecure"Reunited, Okay?!"HBO
2023
(75th)
Quinta BrunsonJanine Teagues*Abbott Elementary*"Teacher Conference"ABC
Christina ApplegateJen HardingDead to Me"We've Reached the End"Netflix
Rachel BrosnahanMiriam "Midge" MaiselThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"Four Minutes"Prime Video
Natasha LyonneCharlie CalePoker Face"Dead Man's Hand"Peacock
Jenna OrtegaWednesday Addams / Goody AddamsWednesday"Friend or Woe"Netflix
2024
(76th)
Jean SmartDeborah Vance Hacks "Yes, And" Max
Quinta BrunsonJanine TeaguesAbbott Elementary"Party"ABC
Ayo EdebiriSydney AdamuThe Bear"Sundae"FX
Selena GomezMabel MoraOnly Murders in the Building"Ghost Light"Hulu
Maya RudolphMolly NovakLoot"Space for Everyone"Apple TV+
Kristen WiigMaxine Dellacorte-SimmonsPalm Royale"Maxine Throws a Party"
2025
(77th)
Jean SmartDeborah Vance*Hacks*"I Love L.A."HBO Max
Uzo AdubaCordelia CuppThe Residence"The Mystery of the Yellow Room"Netflix
Kristen BellJoanneNobody Wants This"Pilot"
Quinta BrunsonJanine TeaguesAbbott Elementary"Strike"ABC
Ayo EdebiriSydney AdamuThe Bear"Legacy"FX

Superlatives

Superlative Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesActress with most awardsActress with most nominationsActress with most nominations
without ever winning
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (7)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (12)
Jane Kaczmarek (7)

Programs with multiple wins

;6 wins

  • Veep

;5 wins

  • Murphy Brown

;4 wins

  • Hacks
  • Mad About You

;3 wins

  • All in the Family
  • Father Knows Best
  • The Golden Girls
  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show

;2 wins

  • Cheers
  • The Dick Van Dyke Show
  • Everybody Loves Raymond
  • The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
  • Hazel
  • Kate & Allie
  • The Lucy Show
  • Taxi

Performers with multiple wins

;7 wins

  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus (6 consecutive)

;5 wins

  • Candice Bergen (2 consecutive twice)
  • Mary Tyler Moore (2 consecutive twice)

;4 wins

  • Helen Hunt (consecutive)
  • Jean Smart (2 consecutive twice)

;3 wins

  • Lucille Ball (2 consecutive)
  • Jean Stapleton (2 consecutive)
  • Jane Wyatt (consecutive)

;2 wins

  • Bea Arthur
  • Shirley Booth (consecutive)
  • Jane Curtin (consecutive)
  • Patricia Heaton (consecutive)
  • Hope Lange (consecutive)

Programs with multiple nominations

;15 nominations

  • The Golden Girls

;9 nominations

  • Cheers

;8 nominations

  • All in the Family

;7 nominations

  • 30 Rock
  • Everybody Loves Raymond
  • The Jeffersons
  • Mad About You
  • Malcolm in the Middle
  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show
  • Murphy Brown
  • Soap
  • Veep

;6 nominations

  • Bewitched
  • Nurse Jackie
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Sex and the City

;5 nominations

  • Black-ish
  • The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
  • Grace and Frankie
  • Kate & Allie
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Maude
  • The New Adventures of Old Christine
  • Will & Grace

;4 nominations

  • Abbott Elementary
  • Dead to Me
  • Desperate Housewives
  • The Donna Reed Show
  • Ellen
  • The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
  • Hacks
  • Home Improvement
  • I Love Lucy
  • The Loretta Young Show
  • The Lucy Show
  • Rhoda
  • Roseanne
  • That Girl

;3 nominations

  • Ally McBeal
  • Cybill
  • Dharma & Greg
  • The Dick Van Dyke Show
  • Father Knows Best
  • Friends
  • Girls
  • Hazel
  • Insecure
  • Mike & Molly
  • Mom
  • Our Miss Brooks
  • Private Secretary
  • Taxi
  • Weeds

;2 nominations

  • The Bear
  • Better Things
  • The Beverly Hillbillies
  • The Bob Newhart Show
  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • The Comeback
  • The Cosby Show
  • December Bride
  • Designing Women
  • The Flight Attendant
  • Get Smart
  • The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
  • Gimme a Break!
  • Inside Amy Schumer
  • Love, Sidney
  • Mr. Adams and Eve
  • The Nanny
  • Samantha Who?
  • Schitt's Creek
  • Ugly Betty
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  • United States of Tara

Performers with multiple nominations

;12 nominations

  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus

;10 nominations

  • Mary Tyler Moore

;9 nominations

  • Bea Arthur

;8 nominations

  • Lucille Ball
  • Jean Stapleton

;7 nominations

  • Candice Bergen
  • Tina Fey
  • Patricia Heaton
  • Helen Hunt
  • Jane Kaczmarek
  • Isabel Sanford
  • Betty White

;6 nominations

  • Kirstie Alley
  • Edie Falco
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Amy Poehler

;5 nominations

  • Christina Applegate
  • Rachel Brosnahan
  • Blair Brown
  • Debra Messing
  • Elizabeth Montgomery
  • Tracee Ellis Ross

;4 nominations

  • Gracie Allen
  • Eve Arden
  • Roseanne Barr
  • Quinta Brunson
  • Ellen DeGeneres
  • Valerie Harper
  • Katherine Helmond
  • Shelley Long
  • Rue McClanahan
  • Donna Reed
  • Patricia Richardson
  • Jean Smart
  • Ann Sothern
  • Marlo Thomas
  • Lily Tomlin
  • Loretta Young

;3 nominations

  • Jennifer Aniston
  • Shirley Booth
  • Jane Curtin
  • Cathryn Damon
  • Lena Dunham
  • Jenna Elfman
  • Calista Flockhart
  • Allison Janney
  • Melissa McCarthy
  • Mary-Louise Parker
  • Issa Rae
  • Cybill Shepherd
  • Jane Wyatt

;2 nominations

  • Pamela Adlon
  • Delta Burke
  • Spring Byington
  • Nell Carter
  • Toni Collette
  • Kaley Cuoco
  • Fran Drescher
  • Ayo Edebiri
  • Barbara Feldon
  • America Ferrera
  • Felicity Huffman
  • Ellie Kemper
  • Lisa Kudrow
  • Swoosie Kurtz
  • Hope Lange
  • Ida Lupino
  • Natasha Lyonne
  • Catherine O'Hara
  • Suzanne Pleshette
  • Phylicia Rashad
  • Marion Ross
  • Irene Ryan
  • Susan Saint James
  • Amy Schumer

Total awards by network

  • CBS – 26
  • NBC – 16
  • HBO/HBO Max/Max – 11
  • ABC – 8
  • Showtime – 2
  • Amazon – 2
  • Pop TV - 1

Notes

References

References

  1. "6th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Female Star of Regular Series". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  2. "7th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Actress Starring in a Regular Series". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  3. "8th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Actress – Continuing Performance". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  4. "9th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Continuing Performance by an Actress". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  5. "10th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Continuing Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  6. "12th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead or Support)". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  7. "13th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  8. "14th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  9. "15th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  10. "16th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)". Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] (ATAS).
  11. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  12. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  13. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  14. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  15. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  16. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  17. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  18. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
  19. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].
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