The 25 TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time
The 25 TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time
Television has existed for nearly a century, and it's since become an instrumental part of American life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey, nearly 3 in 4 (74%) Americans watch television daily as of 2023, with the average American spending two hours and 40 minutes of their day in front of the "idiot box."
Many Americans watch TV to keep up with the news, while others root for their favorite sports teams. For almost as long as there's been broadcast television, however, there has been programming—from scripted dramas to comedies and documentary series—to entertain and inform viewers. These programs are recognized chiefly by the Emmy Awards, which the Television Academy has given out yearly since 1949. Though Regional and Daytime Emmys are awarded to shows that meet those respective requirements, the most cultural discussion takes place around the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmys, which highlight outstanding achievements in the most-watched television programs.
The Primetime Emmys recognize overall series quality, lead and supporting acting, directing, and writing, among other categories. The Creative Arts Emmy awards achievements in more technical fields, such as costumes, makeup, and special effects, as well as alternative programming like docuseries and variety specials. An Emmy win is a lifelong goal for many Hollywood stars and creators, forming the "E" in "EGOT" (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
To celebrate the most Emmy-awarded television shows of all time, Stacker rounded up the top 25 using the Emmys database and other sources. All drama, comedy, competition, variety, reality, and limited series were considered. Shows were ranked by their number of Emmy wins, with ties broken by the number of nominations. The list includes nominations for the 2024 Emmys, but those winners won't be announced until the Sept. 15 ceremony.
Looking at the following list, it's clear to see several distinct eras emerging, from the long-running sitcoms of the '80s and '90s to the new golden age of television ushered in by "The Sopranos" and other premium programming. As streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video join HBO in spending exorbitant sums on new content, it remains to be seen where television will go in the coming years. But many of us—about three-quarters, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data—will surely be sticking around to watch!
#25. 'Murphy Brown' (1988–1998, 2018)
- Wins: 18
- Nominations: 62
"Murphy Brown" was a mainstay in American dens between 1988 and 1998, airing 247 episodes over that decade. The CBS sitcom focused on the titular character's life as an investigative journalist, news anchor, and later, controversially, a single mother.
Candice Bergen, who played Murphy Brown, won the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series five times. The show also won two Best Comedy Series Emmys and took home awards for guest acting, writing, directing, editing, and costuming. The series was revived in 2018 but got the axe after a single season.
#24. 'Will & Grace' (1998–2006, 2017–2020)
- Wins: 18
- Nominations: 96
Like "Murphy Brown," Eric McCormack's Will Truman and Debra Messing's Grace Adler returned to TV screens after a long hiatus in the late 2010s. But unlike the "Murphy Brown" revival, NBC's "Will & Grace" reboot lasted three seasons.
The sitcom revolved around the friendship of its titular characters, Will, a gay lawyer, and Grace, a straight interior designer. The show was notable for including a principal LGBTQ+ character, though not all depictions aged well. "Will & Grace" won the 2000 Emmy for Best Comedy Series, along with awards for McCormack, Messing, and supporting castmates Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, who played dynamic duo Jack McFarland and Karen Walker.
#23. 'Succession' (2018–2023)
- Wins: 19
- Nominations: 75
HBO's "Succession" didn't reinvent the wheel with its premise of wealthy patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) with failing health deciding to leave his children and other family members vying for power within his global media conglomerate. Even so, the dark comedy delivered with biting dialogue and incredible performances from its ensemble cast, including Alan Ruck as eldest Connor, Jeremy Strong as power-hungry Kendall, Kieran Culkin as cocky Roman, Sarah Snook as savvy Shiv, and Nicholas Braun as the bumbling Cousin Greg.
The series won Best Drama Series for two of its four seasons, as well as writing, directing, and casting Emmys and lead acting awards for Culkin and Snook.
#22. 'Boardwalk Empire' (2010–2014)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 57
"Boardwalk Empire," another HBO show on this list, won 20 Emmys during its five-season run for directing, hairstyling, casting, and art direction, among other categories. Despite its impressive Emmys stats, "Boardwalk Empire" failed to win Outstanding Drama Series, which it was up for twice.
The critically acclaimed series followed Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson, a mob boss based on Enoch L. Johnson, who ascended to power in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the 1920s and '30s. Buscemi didn't pick up an Emmy for his role—a snub fans still grumble over—and the show only won one acting award: Bobby Cannavale nabbed Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2013 for his performance as hot-headed mobster Gyp Rosetti.
#21. 'American Masters' (1986–present)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 59
The PBS biography series "American Masters" has aired nearly 300 episodes on writers, musicians, artists, actors, scientists, and other prominent figures who have had distinct impacts on American culture. Across its 38 seasons (as of September 2024), subjects have included everyone from Toni Morrison to Tony Fauci, Aretha Franklin to Alvin Ailey, and Georgia O'Keefe to Gene Kelly.
The show has won the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series 10 times, along with awards for sound mixing and directing, among others. However, "American Masters" hasn't been up for an Emmy since 2021.
#20. '24' (2001–2010)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 68
The central conceit of Fox's "24" is as well known as it is outlandish. Each episode tracked an hour of real time, with a full season of the show detailing a complete day in the life of Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer, an agent of the fictional Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. Though the characters rarely ate, slept, or used the bathroom on camera, "24" earned praise for its nonstop action and gripping performances. The series also attracted criticism for the way it normalized torture on screen.
"24" would go on to win 20 Emmys in categories like stunt coordination, music composition, editing, and directing, along with one win for Outstanding Drama Series and one for Sutherland in the Oustanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, both in 2006.
#19. 'NYPD Blue' (1993–2005)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 84
The police procedural is an established TV genre, from the long-running "NCIS" and "Law & Order" franchises to more recent hits like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Blue Bloods." But "NYPD Blue" ranks among the most beloved, earning critical acclaim spanning its 12 seasons on ABC. In 2013, Variety lamented that broadcast television "lost its edge" after the cancellation of "NYPD Blue," and the series consistently ranks on lists of the best series of all time.
"NYPD Blue" racked up 20 Emmy wins for writing, directing, casting, editing, and art direction, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series in 1995. Though the show saw multiple actors take on leading roles, including Amy Brenneman and Jimmy Smits, the best of the best was Dennis Franz, who won four Lead Actor Emmys for his portrayal of Det. Andy Sipowicz.
#18. 'The Crown' (2016–2023)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 87
When "The Crown" debuted on Netflix in early November 2016, the timing couldn't have been better. Interest in the British royal family was growing, particularly in the U.S., as rumors about Prince Harry's romance with American actor Meghan Markle heated up. However, the series would never cover the royal family fallout involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
"The Crown" centered on Queen Elizabeth II and saw three different actors play the monarch at various stages of her life; Claire Foy, then Olivia Colman, and finally Imelda Staunton each took on the role for two seasons. Many key players in her world—like her husband, Prince Philip; her children; and other British politicians—were also recast as the show spanned nearly six decades, from her and Philip's wedding in 1947 to the nuptials of Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. Throughout its run, many stars of "The Crown" took home Emmys, including Foy and Colman as the Queen, Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles, Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher, and John Lithgow as Winston Churchill.
#17. 'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 112
Few television shows have had as transformative an impact on the entertainment industry as "The Sopranos," which established HBO as a dominating force in culture over its six seasons. Starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a mob boss balancing the demands of his particular line of work with his obligations to his family, "The Sopranos" was named the best-written TV show of all time by the Writers Guild of America and the best television show of all time by TV Guide and Rolling Stone.
"The Sopranos" won Emmy awards for writing, casting, editing, and makeup, and took home the Outstanding Drama Series trophy in 2004 and 2007. Many stars of the series also won Emmys: Drea de Matteo (as Adriana La Cerva), Michael Imperioli (as Christopher Moltisanti), and Joe Pantoliano (as Ralph Cifaretto) all earned supporting acting awards, while Gandolfini and Edie Falco (as Carmela Soprano, Tony's wife) each won three lead acting Emmys.
#16. 'Dancing with the Stars' (2005–present)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 124
One of two reality shows on this list, "Dancing with the Stars" premiered on ABC in 2005 and has aired yearly since then. On the American adaptation of the British TV show "Strictly Come Dancing," each season sees a celebrity paired up with a professional dancer. Pairs are eliminated by combining the lowest audience votes and judges' scores until only one pair stands. Past series winners have included professional athletes like NBA all-star Iman Shumpert and Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and pop icons from Donny Osmond to Drew Lachey.
Over the course of more than 30 seasons, "Dancing with the Stars" has earned Emmy wins for lighting design, technical direction, and choreography, with pros-turned-judges like siblings Derek and Julianne Hough taking home trophies in the latter category.
#15. 'All in the Family' (1971–1979)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 55
Created by TV legend Norman Lear, "All in the Family" was a sitcom that followed a working-class American family as they dealt with issues such as racism, abortion, homosexuality, and the Vietnam War, all of which were considered taboo at the time. But audiences were hooked. "All in the Family" was the most-watched series on television for five years, and by 1975, one-fifth of the entire United States was tuning in to keep up with the Bunkers.
The series, which starred Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner, aired for nine seasons and earned 22 Emmys, including awards for writing, directing, and sound mixing. "All in the Family" also won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series twice and each of the aforementioned stars took home at least one Emmy, with O'Connor's four wins leading the pack.
#14. 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' (2017–2023)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 80
TV creator Amy Sherman-Palladino had previously found success with audiences via her beloved series "Gilmore Girls" and "Bunheads," but it wasn't until "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" debuted on Amazon Prime Video that she had a bona fide critical smash on her hands.
The series, about a young 1950s housewife who unexpectedly breaks through as a stand-up comedian, helped Sherman-Palladino make history. In 2018, she won the writing and directing Emmys for a comedy series, becoming the first woman ever to do so. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" also won Outstanding Comedy Series that same year. The show's stars, Rachel Brosnahan (as the titular Midge Maisel) and Alex Borstein (as her manager, Susie Myerson), took home Emmys gold in 2018 as well, marking the start of a hot streak for the series.
#13. 'Modern Family' (2009–2020)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 85
"Modern Family" presented three types of families: one nuclear, one stepfamily, and one with same-gender parents. The ABC sitcom, which used a mockumentary style of storytelling that had become successful with "The Office," garnered critical acclaim. It won 22 Emmys for acting, directing, writing, sound mixing, and casting, and it received the Outstanding Comedy Series award five years in a row from 2010 to 2014.
But as its 11-season run went on, audiences grew tired of the show's Emmys streak, which included two awards each for Ty Burrell (as Phil Dunphy), Julie Bowen (as Claire Dunphy), and Eric Stonestreet (as Cam Tucker). Toward the end of the series, these accolades turned to backlash, with TV watchers cheering when "Modern Family" wasn't nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category for the first time in 2018.
#12. 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' (1999–2015)
- Wins: 23
- Nominations: 60
"The Daily Show" has had three hosts throughout its run on Comedy Central: Craig Kilborn, Jon Stewart, and Trevor Noah. But the show won 22 of its 23 Emmys during Stewart's tenure as the sardonic, wise-cracking host of the political satire show. (Stewart's successor, Noah, earned an additional 17 Emmy nominations as host, winning one for Outstanding Talk Series in 2023.)
Stewart's "The Daily Show" helped launch the careers of correspondents like Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Samantha Bee, and won nearly two dozen Emmys. The series took home the Outstanding Variety Series Emmy for 10 consecutive years between 2003 and 2012. Nearly a decade after walking away from "The Daily Show," Stewart returned to the series as a part-time host in 2024 to cover the election cycle.
#11. 'ER' (1994–2009)
- Wins: 23
- Nominations: 124
TV's counterpart to the police procedural is the medical drama, of which there have been countless iterations and new spins. But "ER" is one of the greatest and longest-lasting. The NBC series' 15 seasons make it the second-longest-running prime time medical drama—surpassed only by "Grey's Anatomy"—in the U.S.
"ER" helped catapult the career of George Clooney, who received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on the show. Surprisingly, the only acting Emmys the show can claim are two guest acting awards: one for Sally Field in 2001 and another for Ray Liotta in 2005. All told, "ER" won 23 Emmys, taking home the Outstanding Drama Series trophy once in 1996.
#10. 'The Carol Burnett Show' (1967–1978, 1991)
- Wins: 25
- Nominations: 70
"The Carol Burnett Show" is one of two sketch comedy programs on this list. The series ran for 290 episodes, most of which were from its original run in the 1960s and '70s, and four of which comprised its failed 1991 reboot. The original CBS variety show made Carol Burnett a household name and established her as a comedy legend. "The Carol Burnett Show" earned 25 Emmy wins in its original run, including awards for writing, directing, and three Oustanding Variety/Musical Series trophies.
Burnett made Emmys history in 2024 when the 91-year-old comedian earned a nod for her performance on the Apple TV+ dramedy "Palm Royale." With her Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination, she became the oldest woman nominated for an Emmy for comedy acting.
#9. 'The West Wing' (1999–2006)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 95
While some shows launch their stars further into stardom, "The West Wing" is perhaps most responsible for the ascendance of Aaron Sorkin, the creator of the series and the lead writer for nearly all of its first four seasons. The NBC drama cemented Sorkin as the king of clever and quick dialogue, and the originator of the signature walk-and-talk style shots.
"The West Wing" followed the cabinet of fictional President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and has been influential not just in entertainment but also in the political world (for better or for worse). The series won 26 Emmys over its seven-season run, including a four-year streak for Outstanding Drama Series from 2000 to 2003.
#8. 'Hill Street Blues' (1981–1987)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 98
Throughout 140 episodes, "Hill Street Blues" followed workers' lives at a police station on the eponymous road in an unnamed city. The series was influential for its gritty and realistic portrayal of city life, with NPR noting it "tore up the rules of TV" when it debuted in the '80s.
That rebellious attitude helped the NBC police procedural win a slew of Emmys throughout its seven seasons. In 1981, "Hill Street Blues" broke the record for the most Emmy wins for a single season with eight until "The West Wing" outdid it in 2000 with nine Emmys. And at the 1982 ceremony, for the only time in Emmys history, all five nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series hailed from "Hill Street Blues" (with Michael Conrad winning the award).
#7. Cheers (1982–1993)
- Wins: 28
- Nominations: 117
The bar "where everybody knows your name" became a household staple throughout the '80s and early '90s as "Cheers" dominated the airwaves. Led by performances from Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, and Rhea Perlman, among others, "Cheers" became a staple of NBC's must-see TV lineup.
Rumor has it the sitcom was nearly canceled during its first season due to low ratings, but "Cheers" triumphed like former Boston Red Sox pitcher Sam Malone (Danson) in the ninth inning. Ultimately, its series finale brought in 80.4 million viewers and became the most-watched single TV episode of the 1990s. In its 11 seasons, "Cheers" earned 28 Emmy wins, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series and acting honors for Danson, Perlman, Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, and Bebe Neuwirth. It also launched the spin-off "Frasier" (starring Grammer), another massive Emmys winner that appears on this list.
#6. 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (1970–1977)
- Wins: 29
- Nominations: 67
Candice Bergen has been quoted as saying there would be no "Murphy Brown" without "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," which starred Moore as Mary Richards, a similarly career-focused single woman. The CBS sitcom was groundbreaking in its depiction of Mary, who fought for equal pay, used birth control, and was sexually independent.
With standout supporting performances from Edward Asner, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, and Betty White, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" continuously broke barriers over its seven-season run. In 2013, more than 35 years after the series finale aired, Salon noted that the show's "DNA is still all over TV. It is the progenitor of every comedy starring a woman, single, working or otherwise."
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" won 29 Primetime Emmys, including two for Moore in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category and three for Outstanding Comedy Series. It also launched three spin-offs, "Rhoda," "Phyllis," and the most successful of the three, "Lou Grant," a drama starring Asner that earned 13 Emmys itself.
#5. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' (2009–present)
- Wins: 29
- Nominations: 71
"RuPaul's Drag Race" started its engine 15 years ago and has been shattering boundaries and influencing pop culture, from fashion to language, ever since. The mother of drag culture, RuPaul, combined the successful formats of competition shows like "American Idol" and "Project Runway," but added in the complex work that goes into drag performance, from makeup to lipsyncing to dance and comedy. "RuPaul's Drag Race" launched on Logo in 2009 and eventually made its way to MTV in 2023, launching numerous spin-offs and international iterations along the way.
The show earned RuPaul a record eight consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program from 2016 to 2023. The series also won the Emmy for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program four years in a row from 2018 to 2021. And it became the first show to win both awards in the same year in 2018, a feat repeated in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Some of the most successful drag queens are graduates of "RuPaul's Drag Race," including Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Bianca Del Rio, and Bob the Drag Queen.
#4. 'The Simpsons' (1989–present)
- Wins: 37
- Nominations: 102
The only animated series on this list, "The Simpsons" has an undeniable place in the pantheon of American television. It's the longest-running animated comedy of all time, with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie bringing their satirical depiction of middle-class, middle-American life to the screen for 35 years now—though they haven't aged a bit.
"The Simpsons," helmed by creator Matt Groening, has become famous for its prophetic plotlines, predicting everything from Kamala Harris' presidential run in 2024 to the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal. The show has won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program 12 times and the award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance 16 times. Seeing as it's renewed through 2025, that count could continue to grow, potentially moving "The Simpsons" to the #3 spot on this list.
#3. 'Frasier' (1993–2004, 2023-present)
- Wins: 37
- Nominations: 110
It's not often that a spin-off becomes even more beloved and successful than the original show that birthed it, but such is the case with "Frasier." The series follows the life of "Cheers" character Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist returning to his native Seattle, with Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as the title character. The show, which initially ran in the '90s and early '00s, was praised for its wit and comedic timing.
It lasted 11 seasons initially and earned Grammer four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and five trophies for the show in the Oustanding Comedy Series category. "Frasier" actually held the record for most Emmy wins for a fictional series until 2016 when it was overtaken by the next show on this list.
In 2023, "Frasier" was revived for Paramount+, with Grammer once again returning in the role. The sequel series, renewed for a second season in July 2024, is already up for three Emmys in 2024.
#2. 'Game of Thrones' (2011–2019)
- Wins: 59
- Nominations: 159
An adaptation of George R. R. Martin's sprawling, unfinished series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," HBO's "Game of Thrones" places among the most beloved fantasy series in television history. Over eight seasons, viewers were introduced to an expansive roster of characters in Westeros and quickly learned not to get too attached, as even fan favorites weren't spared from the possibility of sudden death and destruction.
"Game of Thrones" won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series four times out of nine nominations and was also recognized for its directing, writing, costumes, makeup, and many more fields. Of all the performers in the ensemble cast, Peter Dinklage (as Tyrion Lannister) is the only one to win an acting Emmy, taking home four Supporting Actor awards in total.
#1. 'Saturday Night Live' (1975–present)
- Wins: 84
- Nominations: 331
Thousands of sketches. Hundreds of celebrity guests. Countless laughs. This is the legacy of "Saturday Night Live," NBC's decadeslong sketch show that has launched superstars in comedy. From controversial events broadcast live to millions of viewers to presidential elections satirized by the show's ever-changing cast, Lorne Michaels' "SNL" has established its place as a top influence on American culture for almost 50 years and across nearly 1,000 episodes.
The NBC series has won more Emmy awards than any other television show. But it may surprise you to learn that throughout its run, only four cast members have won Emmys for their performances on "SNL": Chevy Chase (1977), Gilda Radner (1978), Dana Carvey (1993), and Kate McKinnon (2017 and 2016). In fact, more former cast members have won an Emmy hosting: Jimmy Fallon (2012 and 2014), Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (2016), Eddie Murphy (2020), and Maya Rudolph (2021). At the September 2024 Emmys, Bowen Yang could be added to the former group and Kristen Wiig could join the latter (or Rudolph could nab another hosting win). One thing is for certain though, it will be a long time before another show outdoes "SNL's" Emmys record.
Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Michael Flocker.
