All those Emmys: ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ were pure gold
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
ABC just canceled two programs that were more than just classic, beloved legends of daytime TV: ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ were real winners.
‘All My Children’ was voted best drama series three times at the Daytime Emmys: 1998, 1994 and 1992. David Canary won four times in the lead actor race: 1993, 1989, 1988 and 1986. Darnell Williams (1985) took that category too. Among lead actress champs were Dorothy Lyman (1983) and the very first star to win the Daytime Emmy for acting: Mary Fickett (1972).
It was an Emmy quest involving an ‘All My Children’ superstar that ran like a bizarre soap opera at the awards show for decades. Susan Lucci lost 18 times before ultimately prevailing. When she finally held the Emmy in her grasp at the podium in 1999, she said, ‘There’s something to be said for anticipation. It’s not all bad.’
It’s shocking, but ‘One Life to Live’ won best drama series only once (2002). Star Erika Slezak won lead actress five times: 2005, 1995, 1992, 1986, 1984. Other lead actress champs: Susan Haskell (2004), Judith Light (1981, 1980), Hillary B. Smith (1994) and Robin Stasser (1982). Lead actor victors: Al Freeman Jr. (1979), Robert Woods (1983).
— Tom O’Neil