Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series


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.

Programs with multiple wins

;6 winsVeep
;5 winsMurphy Brown
;4 winsHacksMad About You
;3 winsAll in the FamilyFather Knows BestThe Golden GirlsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
;2 winsCheersThe Dick Van Dyke ShowEverybody Loves RaymondThe Ghost & Mrs. MuirHazelKate & AllieThe Lucy Show

Performers with multiple wins

;7 wins
;5 wins
;4 wins
;3 wins
;2 wins

Programs with multiple nominations

;15 nominationsThe Golden Girls
;9 nominationsCheers
;8 nominationsAll in the Family
;7 nominations30 RockEverybody Loves RaymondThe JeffersonsMad About YouMalcolm in the MiddleThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowMurphy BrownSoapVeep
;6 nominationsBewitchedNurse JackieParks and RecreationSex and the City
;5 nominationsBlack-ishThe Days and Nights of Molly DoddGrace and FrankieKate & AllieThe Marvelous Mrs. MaiselMaudeThe New Adventures of Old ChristineWill & Grace
;4 nominationsAbbott ElementaryDead to MeDesperate HousewivesThe Donna Reed ShowEllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowHacksHome ImprovementI Love LucyThe Loretta Young ShowThe Lucy ShowRhodaRoseanneThat Girl
;3 nominationsAlly McBealCybillDharma & GregThe Dick Van Dyke ShowFather Knows BestFriendsGirlsHazelInsecureMike & MollyMomOur Miss BrooksPrivate SecretaryTaxiWeeds
;2 nominationsThe BearBetter ThingsThe Beverly HillbilliesThe Bob Newhart ShowBrooklyn BridgeThe ComebackThe Cosby ShowDecember BrideDesigning WomenThe Flight AttendantGet SmartThe Ghost & Mrs. MuirGimme a Break!Inside Amy SchumerLove, SidneyMr. Adams and EveThe NannySamantha Who?Schitt's CreekUgly BettyUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Performers with multiple nominations

;12 nominations
;10 nominations
;9 nominations
;8 nominations
;7 nominations
;6 nominations
;5 nominations
;4 nominations
;3 nominations
;2 nominations

Total awards by network

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