A list of actors and television series that won and were nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
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1950s
- 1954note : Donald O'Connor for The Colgate Comedy Hour as himself
- Sid Caesar for Your Show of Shows as various characters
- Wally Cox for Mister Peepers as Robinson J. Peepers
- Jackie Gleason for The Jackie Gleason Show as various characters
- Jack Webb for Dragnet as Sergeant Joe Friday
- 1955note : Danny Thomas for Make Room for Daddy as Danny Williams
- Richard Boone for Medic as Dr. Konrad Styner
- Robert Cummings for My Hero as Robert Beanblossom
- Jackie Gleason for The Jackie Gleason Show as various characters
- Jack Webb for Dragnet as Sergeant Joe Friday
- 1956note : Phil Silvers for The Phil Silvers Show as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
- Robert Cummings for The Bob Cummings Show as Bob Collins
- Jackie Gleason for The Honeymooners as Ralph Kramden
- Danny Thomas for Make Room for Daddy as Danny Williams
- Robert Young for Father Knows Best as James "Jim" Anderson
- 1957note : Sid Caesar for Caesar's Hour as various characters
- Jack Benny for The Jack Benny Program as various characters
- Robert Cummings for The Bob Cummings Show as Bob Collins
- Ernie Kovacs for The Ernie Kovacs Show as himself
- Phil Silvers for The Phil Silvers Show as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
- 1958note : Robert Young for Father Knows Best as James "Jim" Anderson
- James Arness for Gunsmoke as US Marshal Matt Dillon
- Robert Cummings for The Bob Cummings Show as Bob Collins
- Phil Silvers for The Phil Silvers Show as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
- Danny Thomas for The Danny Thomas Show as Danny Williams
- 1959note : Jack Benny for The Jack Benny Program as various characters
- Walter Brennan for The Real McCoys as Amos McCoy
- Robert Cummings for The Bob Cummings Show as Bob Collins
- Phil Silvers for The Phil Silvers Show as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko
- Danny Thomas for The Danny Thomas Show as Danny Williams
- Robert Young for Father Knows Best as James "Jim" Anderson
1960s
- 1960note : Robert Stack for The Untouchables as Eliot Ness
- Richard Boone for Have Gun – Will Travel as Paladin
- Raymond Burr for Perry Mason as Perry Mason
- 1961note : Raymond Burr for Perry Mason as Perry Mason
- Jackie Cooper for Hennessy as Lieutenant Charles "Chick" Hennessy
- Robert Stack for The Untouchables as Eliot Ness
- 1962note : E. G. Marshall for The Defenders as Lawrence Preston
- Paul Burke for Naked City as Detective Adam Flint
- Jackie Cooper for Hennessy as Lieutenant Charles "Chick" Hennessy
- Vince Edwards for Ben Casey as Dr. Ben Casey
- George Maharis for Route 66 as Buz Murdock
- 1963note : E. G. Marshall for The Defenders as Lawrence Preston
- Ernest Borgnine for McHale's Navy as Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale
- Paul Burke for Naked City as Detective Adam Flint
- Vic Morrow for Combat as Sergeant Chip Saunders
- Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show as Robert "Rob" Petrie
- 1964note : Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show as Robert "Rob" Petrie
- Richard Boone for The Richard Boone Show as various characters
- Dean Jagger for Mr. Novak as Albert Vane
- David Janssen for The Fugitive as Dr. Richard Kimble
- George C. Scott for East Side/West Side as Neil Brock
- 1965note :
- Leonard Bernstein for New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein as himself
- Lynne Fontanne for Hallmark Hall of Fame as Fanny Bowditch Holmes
- Alfred Lunt for Hallmark Hall of Fame as Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
- Barbra Streisand for My Name Is Barbra as herself
- Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show as Robert "Rob" Petrie
- Julie Andrews for The Andy Williams Show as herself
- Johnny Carson for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as himself
- Gladys Cooper for The Rogues as Margaret St. Clair
- Robert Coote for The Rogues as Timmy St. Clair
- Richard Crenna for Slattery's People as James Slattery
- Julie Harris for Hallmark Hall of Fame as Florence Nightingale
- Bob Hope for Chrysler Presents A Bob Hope Comedy Special as himself
- Dean Jagger for Mr. Novak as Albert Vane
- Danny Kaye for The Danny Kaye Show as himself
- David McCallum for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Illya Kuryakin
- Red Skelton for The Red Skelton Show as himself
- 1966note : Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show as Robert "Rob" Petrie
- Don Adams for Get Smart as Agent Maxwell "Max" Smart
- Bob Crane for Hogan's Heroes as Colonel Robert Hogan
- David Janssen for The Fugitive as Dr. Richard Kimble
- David McCallum for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Illya Kuryakin
- 1967note : Don Adams for Get Smart as Agent Maxwell "Max" Smart
- Bob Crane for Hogan's Heroes as Colonel Robert Hogan
- Brian Keith for Family Affair as William "Bill" Davis
- Larry Storch for F Troop as Captain Randolph Agarn
- 1968note : Don Adams for Get Smart as Agent Maxwell "Max" Smart
- Richard Benjamin for He & She as Dick Hollister
- Sebastian Cabot for Family Affair as Giles French
- Brian Keith for Family Affair as William "Bill" Davis
- Dick York for Bewitched as Darrin Stephens
- 1969note : Don Adams for Get Smart as Agent Maxwell "Max" Smart
- Brian Keith for Family Affair as William "Bill" Davis
- Edward Mulhare for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir as Captain Daniel Gregg
- Lloyd Nolan for Julia as Dr. Morton Chegley
1970s
- 1970note : William Windom for My World… and Welcome to It as John Monroe
- Bill Cosby for The Bill Cosby Show as Chet Kincaid
- Lloyd Haynes for Room 222 as Pete Dixon
- 1971note : Jack Klugman for The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
- Ted Bessell for That Girl as Donald Hollinger
- Bill Bixby for The Courtship of Eddie's Father as Tom Corbett
- Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Tony Randall for The Odd Couple as Felix Unger
- 1972note : Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Redd Foxx for Sanford and Son as Fred G. Sanford
- Jack Klugman for The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
- Tony Randall for The Odd Couple as Felix Unger
- 1973note : Jack Klugman for The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Redd Foxx for Sanford and Son as Fred G. Sanford
- Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Tony Randall for The Odd Couple as Felix Unger
- 1974note : Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Redd Foxx for Sanford and Son as Fred G. Sanford
- Jack Klugman for The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
- Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Tony Randall for The Odd Couple as Felix Unger
- 1975: Tony Randall for The Odd Couple as Felix Unger
- Jack Albertson for Chico and the Man as Ed Brown
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Jack Klugman for The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
- Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- 1976: Jack Albertson for Chico and the Man as Ed Brown
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- Henry Winkler for Happy Days as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli
- 1977: Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Jack Albertson for Chico and the Man as Ed Brown
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- Henry Winkler for Happy Days as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli
- 1978: Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- John Ritter for Three's Company as Jack Tripper
- Henry Winkler for Happy Days as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli
- 1979: Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family as Archie Bunker
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Judd Hirsch for Taxi as Alex Reiger
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- Robin Williams for Mork & Mindy as Mork
1980s
- 1980: Richard Mulligan for Soap as Burt Campbell
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Robert Guillaume for Benson as Benson DuBois
- Judd Hirsch for Taxi as Alex Reiger
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- 1981: Judd Hirsch for Taxi as Alex Reiger
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- Richard Mulligan for Soap as Burt Campbell
- John Ritter for Three's Company as Jack Tripper
- 1982: Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Robert Guillaume for Benson as Benson DuBois
- Judd Hirsch for Taxi as Alex Reiger
- Hal Linden for Barney Miller as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller
- Leslie Nielsen for Police Squad! as Lieutenant Frank Drebin
- 1983: Judd Hirsch for Taxi as Alex Reiger
- Alan Alda for M*A*S*H as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce
- Dabney Coleman for Buffalo Bill as Bill Bittinger
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Robert Guillaume for Benson as Benson DuBois
- 1984: John Ritter for Three's Company as Jack Tripper
- Dabney Coleman for Buffalo Bill as Bill Bittinger
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Robert Guillaume for Benson as Benson DuBois
- Sherman Hemsley for The Jeffersons as George Jefferson
- 1985: Robert Guillaume for Benson as Benson DuBois
- Harry Anderson for Night Court as Judge Harold "Harry" Stone
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Bob Newhart for Newhart as Dick Loudon
- Jack Warden for Crazy Like a Fox as Harry Fox
- 1986: Michael J. Fox for Family Ties as Alex P. Keaton
- Harry Anderson for Night Court as Judge Harold "Harry" Stone
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Bob Newhart for Newhart as Dick Loudon
- Jack Warden for Crazy Like a Fox as Harry Fox
- 1987: Michael J. Fox for Family Ties as Alex P. Keaton
- Harry Anderson for Night Court as Judge Harold "Harry" Stone
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Bob Newhart for Newhart as Dick Loudon
- Bronson Pinchot for Perfect Strangers as Balki Bartokomous
- 1988: Michael J. Fox for Family Ties as Alex P. Keaton
- Dabney Coleman for The Slap Maxwell Story as Slap Maxwell
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Tim Reid for Frank's Place as Frank Parrish
- John Ritter for Hooperman as Inspector Harry Hooperman
- 1989: Richard Mulligan for Empty Nest as Dr. Harry Weston
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Michael J. Fox for Family Ties as Alex P. Keaton
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Fred Savage for The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold
1990s
- 1990: Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Richard Mulligan for Empty Nest as Dr. Harry Weston
- Craig T. Nelson for Coach as Hayden Fox
- Fred Savage for The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold
- 1991: Burt Reynolds for Evening Shade as Woodrow "Wood" Newton
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Richard Mulligan for Empty Nest as Dr. Harry Weston
- Craig T. Nelson for Coach as Hayden Fox
- 1992: Craig T. Nelson for Coach as Hayden Fox
- Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Kelsey Grammer for Wings as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Burt Reynolds for Evening Shade as Woodrow "Wood" Newton
- Jerry Seinfeld for Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld
- 1993: Ted Danson for Cheers as Sam Malone
- Tim Allen for Home Improvement as Tim Taylor
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Jerry Seinfeld for Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld
- Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show as Larry Sanders
- 1994: Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- John Larroquette for The John Larroquette Show as John Hemingway
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Jerry Seinfeld for Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld
- 1995: Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- John Goodman for Roseanne as Dan Conner
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Jerry Seinfeld for Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld
- Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show as Larry Sanders
- 1996: John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Michael J. Fox for Spin City as Mike Flaherty
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show as Larry Sanders
- 1997: John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Michael J. Fox for Spin City as Mike Flaherty
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show as Larry Sanders
- 1998: Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Michael J. Fox for Spin City as Mike Flaherty
- John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show as Larry Sanders
- 1999: John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Michael J. Fox for Spin City as Mike Flaherty
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Paul Reiser for Mad About You as Paul Buchman
- Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
2000s
- 2000: Michael J. Fox for Spin City as Mike Flaherty
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Eric McCormack for Will & Grace as William "Will" Truman
- Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
- 2001: Eric McCormack for Will & Grace as William "Will" Truman
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- John Lithgow for 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dick Solomon
- Frankie Muniz for Malcolm in the Middle as Malcolm Wilkerson
- Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
- 2002: Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
- Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Matt Le Blanc for Friends as Joey Tribbiani
- Bernie Mac for The Bernie Mac Show as Bernie McCollough
- Matthew Perry for Friends as Chandler Bing
- 2003: Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Matt Le Blanc for Friends as Joey Tribbiani
- Bernie Mac for The Bernie Mac Show as Bernie McCollough
- Eric McCormack for Will & Grace as William "Will" Truman
- Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
- 2004: Kelsey Grammer for Frasier as Dr. Frasier Crane
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Matt Le Blanc for Friends as Joey Tribbiani
- John Ritter for 8 Simple Rules as Paul Hennessy
- Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- 2005: Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Jason Bateman for Arrested Development as Michael Bluth
- Zach Braff for Scrubs as John "J.D." Dorian
- Eric McCormack for Will & Grace as William "Will" Truman
- Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond as Raymond "Ray" Barone
- 2006: Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Kevin James for The King of Queens as Doug Heffernan
- Charlie Sheen for Two and a Half Men as Charlie Harper
- 2007: Ricky Gervais for Extras as Andy Millman
- Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Charlie Sheen for Two and a Half Men as Charlie Harper
- 2008: Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Lee Pace for Pushing Daisies as Ned
- Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Charlie Sheen for Two and a Half Men as Charlie Harper
- 2009: Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Jemaine Clement for Flight of the Conchords as Jemaine
- Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- Charlie Sheen for Two and a Half Men as Charlie Harper
2010s
- 2010: Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Matthew Morrison for Glee as William "Will" Schuester
- Tony Shalhoub for Monk as Adrian Monk
- 2011: Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Steve Carell for The Office as Michael Scott
- Louis C.K. for Louie as Louie
- Johnny Galecki for The Big Bang Theory as Leonard Hofstadter
- Matt Le Blanc for Episodes as himself
- 2012: Jon Cryer for Two and a Half Men as Alan Harper
- Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Louis C.K. for Louie as Louie
- Don Cheadle for Hou$e of Lie$ as Marty Kaan
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- 2013: Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy
- Jason Bateman for Arrested Development as Michael Bluth
- Don Cheadle for Hou$e of Lie$ as Marty Kaan
- Louis C.K. for Louie as Louie
- Matt Le Blanc for Episodes as himself
- Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- 2014: Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper
- Don Cheadle for Hou$e of Lie$ as Marty Kaan
- Louis C.K. for Louie as Louie
- Ricky Gervais for Derek as Derek Noakes
- Matt Le Blanc for Episodes as himself
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- 2015: Jeffrey Tambor for Transparent as Maura Pfefferman
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Don Cheadle for Hou$e of Lie$ as Marty Kaan
- Louis C.K. for Louie as Louie
- Will Forte for The Last Man on Earth as Phil Miller
- Matt Le Blanc for Episodes as himself
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- 2016: Jeffrey Tambor for Transparent as Maura Pfefferman
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Aziz Ansari for Master of None as Dev Shah
- Will Forte for The Last Man on Earth as Phil Miller
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- Thomas Middleditch for Silicon Valley as Richard Hendricks
- 2017: Donald Glover for Atlanta as Earnest "Earn" Marks
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Aziz Ansari for Master of None as Dev Shah
- Zach Galifianakis for Baskets as Chip Baskets / Dale Baskets
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- Jeffrey Tambor for Transparent as Maura Pfefferman
- 2018: Bill Hader for Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Ted Danson for The Good Place as Michael
- Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David
- Donald Glover for Atlanta as Earnest "Earn" Marks
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- 2019: Bill Hader for Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Don Cheadle for Black Monday as Maurice Monroe
- Ted Danson for The Good Place as Michael
- Michael Douglas for The Kominsky Method as Sandy Kominsky
- Eugene Levy for Schitt's Creek as Johnny Rose
2020s
- 2020: Eugene Levy for Schitt's Creek as Johnny Rose
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Don Cheadle for Black Monday as Maurice Monroe
- Ted Danson for The Good Place as Michael
- Michael Douglas for The Kominsky Method as Sandy Kominsky
- Ramy Youssef for Ramy as Ramy Hassan
- 2021: Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso as Ted Lasso
- Anthony Anderson for Blackish as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr.
- Michael Douglas for The Kominsky Method as Sandy Kominsky
- William H. Macy for Shameless as Frank Gallagher
- Kenan Thompson for Kenan as Kenan Williams
- 2022: Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso as Ted Lasso
- Donald Glover for Atlanta as Earnest "Earn" Marks
- Bill Hader for Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
- Nicholas Hoult for The Great as Emperor Peter III of Russia
- Steve Martin for Only Murders in the Building as Charles Haden-Savage
- Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building as Oliver Putnam
- 2023: Jeremy Allen White for The Bear as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto
- Bill Hader for Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
- Jason Segel for Shrinking as Jimmy Laird
- Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building as Oliver Putnam
- Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso as Ted Lasso