Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.[1] Prior to 1989, the category was not gender-specific, and, thus, was called Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. It is given in honor to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a guest-starring role in a television comedy series. The current recipient is Judith Light for Poker Face (TV series). Since the category change in 1989, a total of 34 actresses were awarded for their performances. The most awarded actress is Cloris Leachman, with 3 wins, followed by Tina Fey, Colleen Dewhurst, Kathryn Joosten, Jean Smart, Tracey Ullman, Betty White, and Maya Rudolph, with 2 wins. These awards, like the other "Guest" awards, were previously not presented at the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony, but, rather, at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony.

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
The 2023 recipient: Judith Light
Awarded forOutstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
CountryUnited States
Presented byAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences
First awarded1986
Currently held byJudith Light,
Poker Face (2023)
Websiteemmys.com

Winners and nominations edit

  Indicates the winner

1970s edit

Year Actress Program Role Submitted episode(s) Network
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series
1975
(27th)
[2]
Zohra Lampert Kojak Marina Sheldon "Queen of the Gypsies" CBS
Cloris Leachman The Mary Tyler Moore Show Phyllis Lindstrom "Phyllis Whips Inflation"
Shelley Winters McCloud Thelma "The Barefoot Girls of Bleaker Street" NBC
1976
(28th)
Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Comedy or Drama Series[3]
Kathryn Walker The Adams Chronicles Abigail Adams "John Adams, Lawyer" PBS
Helen Hayes Hawaii Five-O Aunt Clara "Retire In Sunny Hawaii... Forever" CBS
Sheree North Marcus Welby, M.D. June Monica "How Do You Know What Hurts Me?" ABC
Pamela Payton-Wright The Adams Chronicles Louisa Catherine Adams "John Quincy Adams, Diplomat" PBS
Martha Raye McMillan & Wife Agatha "Greed" NBC
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series[4]
Fionnula Flanagan Rich Man, Poor Man Clothilde "Part II" ABC
Ruth Gordon Rhoda Carlton's Mother "Kiss Your Epaulets Goodbye" CBS
Eileen Heckart The Mary Tyler Moore Show Flo Meredith "Mary's Aunt"
Kim Darby Rich Man, Poor Man Virginia Calderwood "Part II" ABC
Kay Lenz Kate Jordache "Part VIII"
1977
(29th)
Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Comedy or Drama Series[5]
Beulah Bondi The Waltons Aunt Martha Corinne Walton "The Pony Cart" CBS
Susan Blakely Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Julie Prescott "Chapter 1" ABC
Madge Sinclair Roots Bell Reynolds "Part IV"
Leslie Uggams Kizzy Reynolds "Part VI"
Jessica Walter The Streets of San Francisco Maggie Jarris / Mrs. Reston / Mrs. McCluskey "Till Death Do Us Part"
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series[6]
Olivia Cole Roots Mathilda "Part VIII" ABC
Eileen Heckart The Mary Tyler Moore Show Flo Meredith "Lou Proposes" CBS
Sandy Duncan Roots Missy Anne Reynolds "Part V" ABC
Cicely Tyson Binta "Part I"
Nancy Walker Rhoda Ida Morgenstern "The Separation" CBS
1978
(30th)
Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Comedy or Drama Series[7]
Rita Moreno The Rockford Files Rita Capkovic "The Paper Palace" NBC
Patty Duke Having Babies III Leslee Wexler ABC
Kate Jackson James at 15 Robin "Pilot" NBC
Irene Tedrow Miss Jordan "Ducks"
Jayne Meadows Meeting of Minds Florence Nightingale "Luther, Voltaire, Plato, Nightingale" PBS
Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series[8]
Blanche Baker Holocaust Anna Weiss "Part I" NBC
Ellen Corby The Waltons Esther Walton "Grandma Comes Home" CBS
Jeanette Nolan The Awakening Land Granny McWhirter "Part I" NBC
Beulah Quo Meeting of Minds Empress Tz'u-hsi "Douglass, Tz'u-Hsi, Beccaria, De Sade" PBS
Beatrice Straight The Dain Curse Alice Dain Leggett "Part 1" CBS

1980s edit

Year Actor/Actress Program Role Episode Network
Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series
1986
(38th)
Roscoe Lee Browne The Cosby Show Dr. Barnabus Foster "The Card Game" NBC
Earle Hyman The Cosby Show Russell Huxtable "Happy Anniversary" NBC
Danny Kaye Dr. Burns "The Dentist"
Clarice Taylor Anna Huxtable "Happy Anniversary"
Stevie Wonder Himself "A Touch of Wonder"
1987
(39th)
John Cleese Cheers Dr. Simon Finch-Royce "Simon Says" NBC
Art Carney The Cavanaughs James "Weasel" Cavanaugh "He Ain't Heavy, Father..." CBS
Herb Edelman The Golden Girls Stanley Zbornak "The Stan Who Came to Dinner" NBC
Lois Nettleton Jean "Isn't It Romantic?"
Nancy Walker Angela "Long Day's Journey into Marinara"
1988
(40th)
Beah Richards Frank's Place Mrs. Varden "The Bridge" CBS
Herb Edelman The Golden Girls Stanley Zbornak "The Audit" NBC
Geraldine Fitzgerald Anna "Mother's Day"
Eileen Heckart The Cosby Show Mrs. Hickson "Autumn Gifts"
Gilda Radner It's Garry Shandling's Show Herself "Mr. Smith Goes to Nam" Showtime
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
1989
(41st)
Colleen Dewhurst Murphy Brown Avery Brown "Mama Said" CBS
Eileen Brennan Newhart Corine Denby CBS
Diahann Carroll A Different World Marion Gilbert NBC
Doris Roberts Perfect Strangers Mrs. Bailey ABC
Maxine Stuart The Wonder Years Mrs. Carples

1990s edit

Year Actress Program Role Network
1990
(42nd)
Swoosie Kurtz Carol & Company Laurie NBC
Morgan Fairchild Murphy Brown Julia St. Martin CBS
Georgia Brown Cheers Madame Lazora NBC
Alexis Smith Alice Anne Volkman
Liz Torres The Famous Teddy Z Angie CBS
1991
(43rd)
Colleen Dewhurst Murphy Brown Avery Brown CBS
Whoopi Goldberg A Different World Professor Jordan NBC
Frances Sternhagen Cheers Esther Clavin
Sada Thompson Mama Lozupone
Brenda Vaccaro The Golden Girls Angela Petrillo
1992
(44th)
Tyne Daly[a] Wings Mimsy Borogroves
Frances Sternhagen[b] Cheers Esther Clavin
1993
(45th)
Tracey Ullman Love & War Dava Levine CBS
Carol Burnett The Larry Sanders Show Herself HBO
Ruby Dee Evening Shade Aurelia Danforth CBS
Shelley Long Cheers Diane Chambers NBC
Gwen Verdon Dream On Kitty HBO
1994
(46th)
Eileen Heckart Love & War Rose Stein CBS
Diane Ladd Grace Under Fire Louise Burdett ABC
Cyndi Lauper Mad About You Marianne Lugasso NBC
Marlee Matlin Seinfeld Laura
Marcia Wallace Murphy Brown Secretary 66 CBS
1995
(47th)
Cyndi Lauper Mad About You Marianne Lugasso NBC
Bebe Neuwirth Frasier Dr. Lilith Sternin NBC
JoBeth Williams Madeline
Christina Pickles Friends Judy Geller
Jean Stapleton Grace Under Fire Aunt Vivian ABC
1996
(48th)
Betty White The John Larroquette Show Herself NBC
Shelley Long Frasier Diane Chambers NBC
Rosie O'Donnell The Larry Sanders Show Herself HBO
Marlo Thomas Friends Sandra Green NBC
Irene Worth Remember WENN Mrs. Mellon AMC
1997
(49th)
Carol Burnett Mad About You Theresa Stemple NBC
Ellen DeGeneres The Larry Sanders Show Herself HBO
Laura Dern Ellen Susan Richmond ABC
Marsha Mason Frasier Sherry NBC
Betty White Suddenly Susan Midge Haber
1998
(50th)
Emma Thompson Ellen Herself ABC
Carol Burnett Mad About You Theresa Stemple NBC
Jan Hooks 3rd Rock from the Sun Vicki Dubcek
Patti LuPone Frasier Zora
Bette Midler Murphy Brown Caprice Feldman CBS
1999
(51st)
Tracey Ullman Ally McBeal Tracy Clark Fox
Christine Baranski Frasier Dr. Nora Fairchild NBC
Piper Laurie Mrs. Mulhern
Kathy Bates 3rd Rock from the Sun Charlotte Everly
Laurie Metcalf Jennifer
  1. ^ Tyne Daly was nominated in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her guest appearance on Wings, but lost to Candice Bergen, who won for Murphy Brown.
  2. ^ Frances Sternhagen was nominated in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her guest appearance on Cheers, but lost to Laurie Metcalf, who won for her role on Roseanne.

2000s edit

Year Actor/Actress Program Role Network
2000
(52nd)
Jean Smart Frasier Lorna Lynley NBC
Bea Arthur Malcolm in the Middle Mrs. White Fox
Cheri Oteri Just Shoot Me! Cindy Monroe NBC
Debbie Reynolds Will & Grace Bobbi Adler
Holland Taylor The Lot Letitia DeVine AMC
2001
(53rd)
Jean Smart Frasier Lana Gardner NBC
Jami Gertz Ally McBeal Kimmy Bishop Fox
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida
Bernadette Peters Ally McBeal Cassandra Lewis
Susan Sarandon Friends Cecilia Monroe NBC
2002
(54th)
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida Fox
Glenn Close Will & Grace Fannie Lieber NBC
Katherine Helmond Everybody Loves Raymond Lois Paymer CBS
Susan Sarandon Malcolm in the Middle Meg Burbank Fox
Frances Sternhagen Sex and the City Bunny MacDougal HBO
2003
(55th)
Christina Applegate Friends Amy Green NBC
Georgia Engel Everybody Loves Raymond Pat MacDougall CBS
Betty Garrett Becker Molly Firth
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida Fox
Betty White Yes, Dear Sylvia Weston CBS
2004
(56th)
Laura Linney Frasier Charlotte Novak NBC
Christina Applegate Friends Amy Green NBC
Eileen Brennan Will & Grace Zandra Zoggin
Georgia Engel Everybody Loves Raymond Pat MacDougall CBS
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida Fox
2005
(57th)
Kathryn Joosten Desperate Housewives Karen McCluskey ABC
Blythe Danner Will & Grace Marilyn Truman NBC
Georgia Engel Everybody Loves Raymond Pat MacDougall CBS
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida Fox
Lupe Ontiveros Desperate Housewives Juanita Solis ABC
2006
(58th)
Cloris Leachman Malcolm in the Middle Grandma Ida Fox
Blythe Danner Will & Grace Marilyn Truman NBC
Shirley Knight Desperate Housewives Phyllis Van De Kamp ABC
Laurie Metcalf Monk Cora Cross USA
Kate Winslet Extras Herself HBO
2007
(59th)
Elaine Stritch 30 Rock Colleen Donaghy NBC
Dixie Carter Desperate Housewives Gloria Hodge ABC
Salma Hayek Ugly Betty Sofia Reyes
Judith Light Claire Meade
Laurie Metcalf Desperate Housewives Carolyn Bigsby
2008
(60th)
Kathryn Joosten Desperate Housewives Karen McCluskey ABC
Polly Bergen Desperate Housewives Stella Wingfield ABC
Edie Falco 30 Rock Celeste "C. C." Cunningham NBC
Carrie Fisher Rosemary Howard
Sarah Silverman Monk Marci Maven USA
Elaine Stritch 30 Rock Colleen Donaghy NBC
2009
(61st)
Tina Fey Saturday Night Live Sarah Palin NBC
Jennifer Aniston 30 Rock Claire Harper NBC
Christine Baranski The Big Bang Theory Dr. Beverly Hofstadter CBS
Gena Rowlands Monk Marge Nassell USA
Elaine Stritch 30 Rock Colleen Donaghy NBC
Betty White My Name Is Earl Grizelda Weezmer ("Crazy Witch Lady")

2010s edit

Year Actress Program Role Episode Network
2010
(62nd)
[9]
Betty White Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Betty White" NBC
Christine Baranski The Big Bang Theory Dr. Beverly Hofstadter "The Maternal Congruence" CBS
Kristin Chenoweth Glee April Rhodes "The Rhodes Not Taken" Fox
Tina Fey Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tina Fey" NBC
Kathryn Joosten Desperate Housewives Karen McCluskey "The Chase" ABC
Jane Lynch Two and a Half Men Dr. Linda Freeman "818-jklpuzo" CBS
Elaine Stritch 30 Rock Colleen Donaghy "The Moms" NBC
2011
(63rd)
[10]
Gwyneth Paltrow Glee Holly Holliday "The Substitute" Fox
Elizabeth Banks 30 Rock Avery Jessup-Donaghy "Double-Edged Sword" NBC
Kristin Chenoweth Glee April Rhodes "Rumours" Fox
Dot-Marie Jones Coach Beiste "Never Been Kissed"
Cloris Leachman Raising Hope Barbara "Maw Maw" Thompson "Don't Vote for This Episode"
Tina Fey Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tina Fey" NBC
2012
(64th)
[11]
Kathy Bates Two and a Half Men The Ghost of Charlie Harper "Why We Gave Up Women" CBS
Elizabeth Banks 30 Rock Avery Jessup-Donaghy "The Return of Avery Jessup" NBC
Margaret Cho Kim Jong-il
Dot-Marie Jones Glee Coach Beiste "Choke" Fox
Melissa McCarthy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Melissa McCarthy" NBC
Maya Rudolph "Host: Maya Rudolph"
2013
(65th)
[12]
Melissa Leo Louie Laurie Burke "Telling Jokes/Set Up" FX
Dot-Marie Jones Glee Coach Beiste "Shooting Star" Fox
Melissa McCarthy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Melissa McCarthy" NBC
Molly Shannon Enlightened Eileen Foliente "The Ghost Is Seen" HBO
Elaine Stritch 30 Rock Colleen Donaghy "My Whole Life Is Thunder" NBC
Kristen Wiig Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Kristen Wiig" NBC
2014
(66th)
[13]
Uzo Aduba Orange Is the New Black Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren "Lesbian Request Denied" Netflix
Laverne Cox Orange Is the New Black Sophia Burset "Lesbian Request Denied" Netflix
Joan Cusack Shameless Sheila Jackson "Liver, I Hardly Know Her" Showtime
Tina Fey Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tina Fey" NBC
Natasha Lyonne Orange Is the New Black Nicole "Nicky" Nichols "WAC Pack" Netflix
Melissa McCarthy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Melissa McCarthy" NBC
2015
(67th)
[14]
Joan Cusack Shameless Sheila Jackson "Milk of the Gods" Showtime
Pamela Adlon Louie Pamela "Bobby's House" FX
Elizabeth Banks Modern Family Sal "Fight or Flight" ABC
Christine Baranski The Big Bang Theory Dr. Beverly Hofstadter "The Maternal Combustion" CBS
Tina Fey Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Marcia "Kimmy Goes to Court!" Netflix
Gaby Hoffmann Girls Caroline Sackler "Home Birth" HBO
2016
(68th)
[15]
Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler" NBC
Christine Baranski The Big Bang Theory Dr. Beverly Hofstadter "The Convergence Convergence" CBS
Melora Hardin Transparent Tammy Cashman "Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump" Amazon
Laurie Metcalf The Big Bang Theory Mary Cooper "The Convergence Convergence" CBS
Melissa McCarthy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Melissa McCarthy" NBC
Amy Schumer "Host: Amy Schumer"
2017
(69th)
[16]
Melissa McCarthy Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Melissa McCarthy" NBC
Becky Ann Baker Girls Loreen Horvath "Gummies" HBO
Angela Bassett Master of None Catherine "Thanksgiving" Netflix
Carrie Fisher (post-humously) Catastrophe Mia Norris "Episode 6" Amazon
Wanda Sykes Black-ish Daphne Lido "Lemons" ABC
Kristen Wiig Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Kristen Wiig" NBC
2018
(70th)
Tiffany Haddish Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tiffany Haddish" NBC
Tina Fey Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Tina Fey" NBC
Jane Lynch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sophie Lennon "Put That on Your Plate!" Amazon
Maya Rudolph The Good Place Judge Gen "The Burrito" NBC
Molly Shannon Will & Grace Val Bassett "There's Something About Larry"
Wanda Sykes Black-ish Daphne Lido "Juneteenth" ABC
2019
(71st)
Jane Lynch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Sophie Lennon "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy" Amazon
Sandra Oh Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Sandra Oh" NBC
Maya Rudolph The Good Place Judge Gen "Chidi Sees the Time-Knife"
Kristin Scott Thomas Fleabag Belinda Friers "Episode 3" Amazon
Fiona Shaw Counsellor "Episode 2"
Emma Thompson Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Emma Thompson NBC

2020s edit

Year Actress Program Role Episode Network
2020
(72nd)
[17]
Maya Rudolph Saturday Night Live Kamala Harris "Host: Eddie Murphy" NBC
Angela Bassett A Black Lady Sketch Show Mo "Angela Bassett Is the Baddest Bitch" HBO
Bette Midler The Politician Hadassah Gold "Vienna" Netflix
Maya Rudolph The Good Place Judge Gen "You've Changed, Man" NBC
Wanda Sykes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Moms Mabley "A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo…" Amazon
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Saturday Night Live Various Characters "Host: Phoebe Waller-Bridge" NBC
2021
(73rd)
Maya Rudolph Saturday Night Live Various characters "Host: Maya Rudolph" NBC
Jane Adams Hacks Nina Daniels "I Think She Will" HBO Max
Yvette Nicole Brown A Black Lady Sketch Show Judge Anita Harper "But the Tilapias Are Fine Though, Right?" HBO
Bernadette Peters Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Deb "Zoey's Extraordinary Girls' Night" NBC
Issa Rae A Black Lady Sketch Show Jess "My Booty Look Juicy, Don't It?" HBO
Kristen Wiig Saturday Night Live Various characters "Host: Kristen Wiig" NBC
2022
(74th)
Laurie Metcalf Hacks Weed "Trust the Process" HBO Max
Jane Adams Hacks Nina Daniels "The Click" HBO Max
Harriet Sansom Harris Susan "Retired"
Jane Lynch Only Murders in the Building Sazz Pataki "Double Time" Hulu
Kaitlin Olson Hacks Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr. "There Will Be Blood" HBO Max
Harriet Walter Ted Lasso Deborah Welton "The Signal" Apple TV+
2023
(75th)
Judith Light Poker Face Irene Smothers "Time of the Monkey" Peacock
Becky Ann Baker Ted Lasso Dottie Lasso "Mom City" Apple TV+
Quinta Brunson Saturday Night Live Host "Host: Quinta Brunson" NBC
Taraji P. Henson Abbott Elementary Vanetta Teagues "Mom" ABC
Sarah Niles Ted Lasso Dr. Sharon Fieldstone "Smells Like Mean Spirit" Apple TV+
Harriet Walter Deborah Welton "So Long, Farewell"

Performers with multiple wins edit

Programs with multiple awards edit

7 awards
3 awards
2 awards

Performers with multiple nominations edit

Programs with multiple nominations edit

References edit

  1. ^ Official Website. "OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES". emmys.com. Television Academy. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  2. ^ "27th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  3. ^ "28th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  4. ^ "28th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  5. ^ "29th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  6. ^ "29th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  7. ^ "30th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ^ "30th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  10. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  11. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  12. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  13. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  14. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  15. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  16. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "72nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 29, 2020.