General Hospital Claims 19th Drama Series Emmy as Clifton and Tunie Take Lead Acting Honors

General Hospital secured its 19th outstanding drama series award at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmys on Friday night in Los Angeles.

The ABC soap opera extended its winning streak to six consecutive years, marking a historic milestone in the history of daytime television. The series also collected trophies for writing and guest performance in a daytime drama, the latter going to Jeff Kober.

Scott Clifton won the lead actor in a daytime drama award for his role as Liam Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful. It is his second win in that category, following his victory in 2017. Clifton is the first male actor to win in the lead, younger actor, and supporting actor categories.

He defeated a group of veteran actors including Eric Braeden, Steve Burton, Thorsten Kaye, and Christian Jules LeBlanc. Clifton described the win as a significant acknowledgment from his colleagues. “I’m speechless,” Clifton said. “This means so much to me, not the thing, the atta boy from my peers. I think of few things that bring me more joy than that.”

Tamara Tunie received the lead actress in a daytime drama award for her portrayal of Anita Dupree on Beyond the Gates. The CBS series debuted last year with the first primarily Black cast since Generations in the 1990s. It is also the first new network soap opera since 1999. Tunie made her daytime debut in 1987 on As the World Turns, a show that ended in 2010.

Tunie acknowledged the legacy of predecessors in the industry while accepting the honor. “My heart is so full right now,” Tunie said. “This is the best welcome back to daytime ever. There is a host of Black actresses who paved the way for me, and I feel them as I stand here.”

The supporting acting categories were claimed by Roger Howarth and Beth Maitland from The Young and the Restless. Howarth, who plays Matt Clark, previously won in 1994 for his role as Todd Manning on One Life to Live. Maitland, honored for her role as Traci Abbott, originated the character in 1982. That year also marked her first supporting actress victory. She has portrayed the character intermittently since then.

Maitland addressed the audience with a tribute to the industry's resilience. “Every one of you a winner, every one of you a part of the contribution daytime makes in a world gone mad, offering just a few minutes of relief, to laugh, to cry and to celebrate,” she said.

Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by her husband, Jonathan Frakes. Francis began her role on General Hospital in 1977 at age 14. She arrived on stage supported by her two children while recovering from a broken right ankle. Francis noted that while 50 years feels long, the work remains enjoyable despite the physical demands.

“I know 50 years sounds like an awfully long time, but it doesn’t feel like it to me,” Francis said. “As they say, if you love what you do you don’t work a day in your life. I wouldn’t go that far because doing a party scene in high heels is hard work.”

Other winners included Tracee Ellis Ross in the travel and adventure category for Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross. The show is available on Roku. Ross thanked Morocco, Mexico, and Spain during her acceptance speech. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was nominated in the lifestyle program category for With Love, Meghan. She lost to the Prime Video documentary series A Different Breed, which focuses on competitive canine sports.

Ambyr Michelle won the emerging talent in a daytime drama award for Beyond the Gates. This marks the second year the specific award has been presented. Directing honors went to the team behind Days of Our Lives on Peacock. Two talk shows that are no longer in production also secured victories. Sherri Shepherd won as daytime talk series host for Sherri, which ended its four-season run on Fox in May. Kelly Clarkson won for daytime talk series after her NBC show concluded in August following seven seasons. Neither winner was present to accept the trophies. Giada De Laurentiis won as non-daily daytime personality for Giada in the Kitchen. Star Jones and Corey Jovan won the daily daytime personality award for Divorce Court on Fox. Ina Garten won two awards for culinary host and culinary instructional series for Be My Guest on Food Network. The ceremony was held at the Hollywood Palladium. It was streamed live for the second consecutive year after five years of airing on CBS.