Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Not to be confused with the Daytime Emmy Award with the same name.

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Awarded for	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Presented by	Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Country	United States
Currently held by	Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights (2011)
Official website	http://www.emmys.com/

This is a list of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winners.

Award winners and nominations

1950s

• 1956: Robert Young as Jim Anderson - Father Knows Best
• 1957: Robert Young as Jim Anderson - Father Knows Best
• 1958: no award
• 1959: Raymond Burr as Perry Mason - Perry Mason

1960s

1960: Robert Stack as Eliot Ness - The Untouchables Raymond Burr as Perry Mason - Perry Mason Richard Boone as Paladin - Have Gun – Will Travel 1961: Raymond Burr as Perry Mason - Perry Mason Jackie Cooper as Chick Hennesey - Hennesey Robert Stack as Eliot Ness - The Untouchables 1962: E. G. Marshall as Lawrence Preston - The Defenders Vince Edwards as Dr. Ben Casey - Ben Casey Jackie Cooper as Chick Hennesey - Hennesey Paul Burke as Det. Adam Flint - Naked City George Maharis as Buz Murdock - Route 66 1963: E. G. Marshall as Lawrence Preston - The Defenders Vic Morrow as Sgt. Sanders - Combat! Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie - The Dick Van Dyke Show Ernest Borgnine as Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale - McHale's Navy Paul Burke as Det. Adam Flint - Naked City 1964: no award 1965: no award

1966: Bill Cosby as Alexander Scott - I Spy David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble - The Fugitive Robert Culp as Kelly Robinson - I Spy David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin - The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Richard Crenna as James Slattery - Slattery's People 1967: Bill Cosby as Alexander Scott - I Spy David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble - The Fugitive Robert Culp as Kelly Robinson - I Spy Martin Landau as Rollin Hand - Mission: Impossible Ben Gazzara as Paul Bryan - Run for Your Life 1968: Bill Cosby as Alexander Scott - I Spy Robert Culp as Kelly Robinson - I Spy Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside - Ironside Martin Landau as Rollin Hand - Mission: Impossible Ben Gazzara as Paul Bryan - Run for Your Life 1969: Carl Betz as Clinton Judd - Judd, for the Defense Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside - Ironside Peter Graves as Jim Phelps - Mission: Impossible Martin Landau as Rollin Hand - Mission: Impossible Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon - The Wild Wild West

1970s

1970: Robert Young as Dr. Marcus Welby - Marcus Welby, M.D. Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside - Ironside Robert Wagner as Al Mundy - It Takes a Thief Mike Connors as Joe Mannix - Mannix 1971: Hal Holbrook as Hays Stowe - The Bold Ones: The Senator Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside - Ironside Mike Connors as Joe Mannix - Mannix Robert Young as Dr. Marcus Welby - Marcus Welby, M.D. 1972: Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside - Ironside Mike Connors as Joe Mannix - Mannix Robert Young as Dr. Marcus Welby - Marcus Welby, M.D. Keith Michell as Henry VIII of England - The Six Wives of Henry VIII 1973: Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton - The Waltons William Conrad as Frank Cannon - Cannon David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine - Kung Fu Mike Connors as Joe Mannix - Mannix Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo 1974: Telly Savalas as Lt. Theo Kojak - Kojak William Conrad as Frank Cannon - Cannon Karl Malden as Det. Lt. Mike Stone - The Streets of San Francisco Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton - The Waltons

1975: Robert Blake as Det. Tony Baretta - Baretta Telly Savalas as Lt. Theo Kojak - Kojak Barry Newman as Anthony J. Petrocelli - Petrocelli Karl Malden as Det. Lt. Mike Stone - The Streets of San Francisco 1976: Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo James Garner as Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files Karl Malden as Det. Lt. Mike Stone - The Streets of San Francisco 1977: James Garner as Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files Robert Blake as Det. Tony Baretta - Baretta Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy, M.E. - Quincy, M.E. Karl Malden as Det. Lt. Mike Stone - The Streets of San Francisco 1978: Edward Asner as Lou Grant - Lou Grant James Broderick as Doug Lawrence - Family Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy, M.E. - Quincy, M.E. James Garner as Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files Ralph Waite as John Walton, Sr. - The Waltons 1979: Ron Leibman as Martin Kazinsky - Kaz Edward Asner as Lou Grant - Lou Grant Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy, M.E. - Quincy, M.E. James Garner as Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files

1980s

1980: Edward Asner as Lou Grant - Lou Grant James Garner as Jim Rockford - The Rockford Files Larry Hagman as J. R. Ewing - Dallas Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy, M.E. - Quincy, M.E. 1981: Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo - Hill Street Blues Edward Asner as Lou Grant - Lou Grant Jim Davis as Jock Ewing - Dallas (posthumously) Louis Gossett, Jr. as Bessie's Father - Palmerstown, U.S.A. Larry Hagman as J. R. Ewing - Dallas Pernell Roberts as Trapper John McIntyre - Trapper John, M.D. 1982: Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo - Hill Street Blues Edward Asner as Lou Grant - Lou Grant John Forsythe as Blake Carrington - Dynasty James Garner as Bret Maverick - Bret Maverick Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum - Magnum, P.I. 1983: Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall - St. Elsewhere William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig - St. Elsewhere John Forsythe as Blake Carrington - Dynasty Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum - Magnum, P.I. Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo - Hill Street Blues 1984: Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum - Magnum, P.I. William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig - St. Elsewhere John Forsythe as Blake Carrington - Dynasty Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo - Hill Street Blues

1985: William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig - St. Elsewhere Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall - St. Elsewhere Don Johnson as Det. Sonny Crockett - Miami Vice Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum - Magnum, P.I. Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo - Hill Street Blues 1986: William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig - St. Elsewhere Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall - St. Elsewhere Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum - Magnum, P.I. Bruce Willis as David Addison, Jr. - Moonlighting Edward Woodward as Robert McCall - The Equalizer 1987: Bruce Willis as David Addison, Jr. - Moonlighting Corbin Bernsen as Arnie Becker - L.A. Law William Daniels as Dr. Mark Craig - St. Elsewhere Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall - St. Elsewhere Edward Woodward as Robert McCall - The Equalizer 1988: Richard Kiley as Joe Gardner - A Year in the Life Corbin Bernsen as Arnie Becker - L.A. Law Ron Perlman as Vincent - Beauty and the Beast Michael Tucker as Stuart Markowitz - L.A. Law Edward Woodward as Robert McCall - The Equalizer 1989: Carroll O'Connor as Chief Bill Gillespie - In the Heat of the Night Ron Perlman as Vincent - Beauty and the Beast Michael Tucker as Stuart Markowitz - L.A. Law Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova - Wiseguy Edward Woodward as Robert McCall - The Equalizer

1990s

1990: Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Scott Bakula as Samuel Beckett - Quantum Leap Robert Loggia as Nick Mancuso - Mancuso, F.B.I. Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper - Twin Peaks Edward Woodward as Robert McCall - The Equalizer 1991: James Earl Jones as Gabriel Bird - Gabriel's Fire Scott Bakula as Samuel Beckett - Quantum Leap Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper - Twin Peaks Michael Moriarty as Benjamin Stone - Law & Order 1992: Christopher Lloyd as Alistair Dimple - Road to Avonlea Scott Bakula as Samuel Beckett - Quantum Leap Kirk Douglas as General Kalthrob - Tales from the Crypt Michael Moriarty as Benjamin Stone - Law & Order Rob Morrow as Joel Fleischman - Northern Exposure Harrison Page as Reverend Walters - Quantum Leap Sam Waterston as D.A. Forrest Bedford - I'll Fly Away 1993: Tom Skerritt as Sheriff Jimmy Brock - Picket Fences Scott Bakula as Samuel Beckett - Quantum Leap Michael Moriarty as Benjamin Stone - Law & Order Rob Morrow as Joel Fleischman - Northern Exposure Sam Waterston as D.A. Forrest Bedford - I'll Fly Away 1994: Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue David Caruso as John Kelly - NYPD Blue Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo - Columbo Michael Moriarty as Benjamin Stone - Law & Order Tom Skerritt as Sheriff Jimmy Brock - Picket Fences

1995: Mandy Patinkin as Dr. Jeffrey Geiger - Chicago Hope George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross - ER Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene - ER Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone - NYPD Blue 1996: Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue Andre Braugher as Frank Pembleton - Homicide: Life on the Street George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross - ER Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene - ER Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone - NYPD Blue 1997: Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue David Duchovny as Fox Mulder - The X-Files Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene - ER Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone - NYPD Blue Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy - Law & Order 1998: Andre Braugher as Frank Pembleton - Homicide: Life on the Street David Duchovny as Fox Mulder - The X-Files Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene - ER Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone - NYPD Blue 1999: Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz - NYPD Blue James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano - The Sopranos Dylan McDermott as Bobby Donnell - The Practice Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone - NYPD Blue Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy - Law & Order

2000s

2000: James Gandolfini in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano Dennis Franz in NYPD Blue as Andy Sipowicz Jerry Orbach in Law & Order as Lennie Briscoe Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet Sam Waterston in Law & Order as Jack McCoy 2001: James Gandolfini in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano Andre Braugher in Gideon's Crossing as Dr. Ben Gideon Dennis Franz in NYPD Blue as Andy Sipowicz Rob Lowe in The West Wing as Sam Seaborn Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet 2002: Michael Chiklis in The Shield as Vic Mackey Michael C. Hall in Six Feet Under as David Fisher Peter Krause in Six Feet Under as Nate Fisher Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer 2003: James Gandolfini in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano Michael Chiklis in The Shield as Vic Mackey Peter Krause in Six Feet Under as Nate Fisher Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer 2004: James Spader in The Practice as Alan Shore James Gandolfini in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano Anthony LaPaglia in Without a Trace as Jack Malone Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer

2005: James Spader in Boston Legal as Alan Shore Hank Azaria in Huff as Dr. Craig "Huff" Huffstodt Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House Ian McShane in Deadwood as Al Swearengen Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer 2006: Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer Peter Krause in Six Feet Under as Nate Fisher Denis Leary in Rescue Me as Tommy Gavin Christopher Meloni in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Elliot Stabler Martin Sheen in The West Wing as Josiah Bartlet 2007: James Spader in Boston Legal as Alan Shore James Gandolfini in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House Denis Leary in Rescue Me as Tommy Gavin Kiefer Sutherland in 24 as Jack Bauer 2008: Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad as Walter White Gabriel Byrne in In Treatment as Dr. Paul Weston Michael C. Hall in Dexter as Dexter Morgan Jon Hamm in Mad Men as Don Draper Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House James Spader in Boston Legal as Alan Shore 2009: Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad as Walter White Simon Baker in The Mentalist as Patrick Jane Gabriel Byrne in In Treatment as Dr. Paul Weston Michael C. Hall in Dexter as Dexter Morgan Jon Hamm in Mad Men as Don Draper Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House

2010s

• 2010: Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad as Walter White
  • Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights as Eric Taylor
  • Matthew Fox in Lost as Jack Shephard
  • Michael C. Hall in Dexter as Dexter Morgan
  • Jon Hamm in Mad Men as Don Draper
  • Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House

• 2011: Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights as Eric Taylor
  • Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire as Nucky Thompson
  • Michael C. Hall in Dexter as Dexter Morgan
  • Jon Hamm in Mad Men as Don Draper
  • Hugh Laurie in House as Dr. Gregory House
  • Timothy Olyphant in Justified as Raylan Givens

Most wins

4 wins

• Dennis Franz (two consecutive)

3 wins

• Bill Cosby (consecutive)
• Bryan Cranston (consecutive)
• Peter Falk
• James Gandolfini (two consecutive)
• James Spader (two consecutive for same role on different shows)
• Robert Young (for two different roles; two consecutive for same role)

2 wins

• Edward Asner
• Raymond Burr
• William Daniels (consecutive)
• E.G. Marshall (consecutive)
• Daniel J. Travanti (consecutive)

Most nominations

8 Nominations

• Raymond Burr
• Peter Falk
• Dennis Franz

6 Nominations

• James Gandolfini
• James Garner
• Hugh Laurie
• Martin Sheen
• Kiefer Sutherland

5 Nominations

• Edward Asner
• William Daniels
• Michael C. Hall
• Tom Selleck
• Jimmy Smits
• Daniel J. Travanti
• Sam Waterston
• Edward Woodward
• Robert Young

4 Nominations

• Scott Bakula
• Mike Connors
• Anthony Edwards
• Ed Flanders
• Jon Hamm
• Jack Klugman
• Karl Malden
• Michael Moriarty
• James Spader

3 Nominations

• Andre Braugher
• Bill Cosby
• Bryan Cranston
• Robert Culp
• John Forsythe
• Peter Krause
• Martin Landau

2 Nominations

• Corbin Bernsen
• Robert Blake
• Paul Burke
• Gabriel Byrne
• Kyle Chandler
• Michael Chiklis
• George Clooney
• William Conrad
• David Duchovny
• Ben Gazzara
• Larry Hagman
• David Janssen
• Denis Leary
• Kyle MacLachlan
• E. G. Marshall
• Rob Morrow
• Ron Perlman
• Telly Savalas
• Tom Skerritt
• Robert Stack
• Richard Thomas
• Michael Tucker
• Bruce Willis

See also

• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama
• Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series