49th Annual Daytime Emmy Winner: Outstanding Lead Actor

The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series has been awarded to John McCook, who plays Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. Other Lead Actors nominated in the same category included Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott, Y&R), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black, DAYS), James Reynolds (Abe Carver, DAYS), and Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott, Y&R).

John McCook has been a mainstay on The Bold and the Beautiful as Eric Forrester since its inception in 1987. This year the writers crafted a storyline that highlighted what McCook does best — tell a story that makes you lean in, riveted until the end. Soaps have long paved the way for shining the light on social issues so it was not a surprise that they captured the audience’s attention with erectile dysfunction.

In a year of many firsts, John McCook has been nominated four times and finally took home a win for Outstanding Lead Actor. Soap Hub congratulates the actor on taking home a well-deserved Emmy statuette.

Daytime Emmy History

In 1972, the first daytime-themed Emmy Awards were handed out during the primetime ceremony, when The Doctors and General Hospital were nominated for Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama — with The Doctors winning the first Best Show Daytime Emmy. Also at that same ceremony, Outstanding Achievement by an Individual in a Daytime Drama was awarded to Mary Fickett from All My Children.

Soap History

The Bold and the Beautiful made its debut in 1987 and introduced glitz and glamour to daytime soap operas. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, three decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. BB airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for air times.

Days of our Lives made its debut in 1965 and is one of the longest-running daytime soap operas in American history. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, five decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. DAYS airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for air times.

General Hospital made its debut in 1963 and is the second longest-running daytime soap opera in American history. The longest-running sudser is Guiding Light. While it’s not the longest-running sudser, General Hospital is the longest-running soap opera currently on air. GH airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for air times.

The Young and the Restless made its debut in 1973 and introduced more sexual undertones and younger characters to daytime soap operas. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, four decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. YR airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for air times.