The Best Actresses in Television History

The evolution of television has been driven by the performances of exceptional actresses who have defined generations of programming. These women transitioned from the early era of situational comedies to the complex narratives of modern streaming dramas. Their work across decades has earned them critical acclaim and numerous industry awards for excellence. This list explores the careers of some of the most influential performers to ever grace the small screen.

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball established herself as a television pioneer through her lead role in ‘I Love Lucy’ during the 1950s. She became the first woman to lead a major television production studio as the head of Desilu Productions. Her career spanned several decades and included later hits like ‘The Lucy Show’ and ‘Here is Lucy’. She won four Primetime Emmy Awards and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore rose to prominence playing Laura Petrie on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ before leading her own eponymous sitcom. Her work on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ broke ground by depicting a single professional woman focused on her career. She earned seven Primetime Emmy Awards throughout her career in television and film. Her production company MTM Enterprises produced several critically acclaimed series during the 1970s and 1980s.

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett became a household name as the host and star of ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ which ran for eleven seasons. The program was one of the first successful variety shows to be hosted by a woman. She is known for her versatility in sketch comedy and musical performances throughout the series. Burnett has received numerous accolades including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Jessica Fletcher in the long running series ‘Murder She Wrote’. The show aired for twelve seasons and made her a mainstay of television drama. She holds the record for the most Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series without a win. Beyond her detective role she appeared in various television films and hosted the Tony Awards multiple times.

Betty White

Betty White enjoyed one of the longest careers in television history spanning over eight decades. She earned acclaim for her roles in ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘The Golden Girls’ where she played Rose Nylund. White was a pioneer of early television both in front of and behind the camera. She received eight Emmy Awards in various categories and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.

Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur became a television star after appearing as the title character in ‘Maude’ which was a spin off from ‘All in the Family’. She later starred as Dorothy Zbornak in the popular sitcom ‘The Golden Girls’. Her work often addressed serious social and political issues through a comedic lens. Arthur won two Primetime Emmy Awards and was also a celebrated stage performer on Broadway.

Edie Falco

Edie Falco earned critical praise for her portrayal of Carmela Soprano in the HBO drama ‘The Sopranos’. She followed this success by playing the title character in ‘Nurse Jackie’ for seven seasons. Falco is the first actress to win the Emmy for Lead Actress in both a Drama and a Comedy series. Her performances are noted for their emotional depth and grounded realism.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis made history as the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She achieved this milestone for her role as Annalise Keating in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Davis has also appeared in several acclaimed television projects including the miniseries ‘The First Lady’. Her work is celebrated for its intensity and command of the screen.

Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson was a trailblazing actress who focused on portraying strong and dignified Black women. She won two Emmy Awards for her performance in the television film ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’. Throughout her career she appeared in significant projects such as ‘Roots’ and ‘King’. Tyson was a recipient of the Honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren became a television icon for her role as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in ‘Prime Suspect’. The series ran periodically from 1991 to 2006 and earned her several BAFTA and Emmy Awards. She also received acclaim for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in a 2005 miniseries. Mirren is one of the few performers to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson rose to international fame playing Special Agent Dana Scully on ‘The X Files’. She later earned critical acclaim for her roles in ‘The Fall’ and ‘Sex Education’. Her performance as Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Crown’ won her a second Primetime Emmy Award. Anderson has worked extensively in both British and American television throughout her career.

Allison Janney

Allison Janney is best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the political drama ‘The West Wing’. She won four Emmy Awards for that role before finding further success in the sitcom ‘Mom’. Janney has won a total of seven Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on television. She is recognized for her ability to navigate both high stakes drama and broad comedy.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes first gained attention as a teenager in the cult classic series ‘My So Called Life’. She later starred as CIA officer Carrie Mathison in the long running thriller ‘Homeland’. For her work on ‘Homeland’ she received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes. Her performance was praised for its intense portrayal of a character living with bipolar disorder.

Elisabeth Moss

Elisabeth Moss rose to prominence as Peggy Olson in the period drama ‘Mad Men’. She went on to star in and produce ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ which earned her multiple Emmy Awards. Moss also received critical acclaim for her leading role in the mystery series ‘Top of the Lake’. She is known for choosing complex and challenging roles in prestige television.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close transitioned from a successful film career to television with the legal thriller ‘Damages’. She played the formidable attorney Patty Hewes for five seasons and won two Emmy Awards for the role. Before that she appeared in ‘The Shield’ as Captain Monica Rawling. Close has also starred in several significant television movies such as ‘Serving in Silence’.

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange experienced a career resurgence with her work in the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’. She played four different lead characters across the first four seasons of the show. Her performances earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Lange also received acclaim for her portrayal of Joan Crawford in the miniseries ‘Feud’.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith became a global television star for her role as Violet Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey’. Her portrayal of the Dowager Countess earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards. She appeared in all six seasons of the show and reprised her role in two feature films. Smith has a career spanning over six decades with numerous honors in film and theater.

Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman was a prolific actress who held the record for the most Primetime Emmy Awards won by a single performer for many years. She is well remembered for her role as Phyllis Lindstrom on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’. She later starred in her own spin off titled ‘Phyllis’ and had a recurring role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’. Her career lasted over seven decades and included work in film and television comedy.

Jean Stapleton

Jean Stapleton is best known for her role as Edith Bunker in the groundbreaking sitcom ‘All in the Family’. Her performance as the kind hearted wife of Archie Bunker earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards. She appeared in the role for nine seasons and helped the show address major social issues. Stapleton also had a successful career in musical theater and various television guest roles.

Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen starred as the titular character in ‘Murphy Brown’ which focused on a sharp tongued news anchor. She won five Primetime Emmy Awards for the role and eventually declined further nominations for the character. The show was notable for its commentary on contemporary politics and journalism. Bergen later reprised the role in a 2018 revival of the series.

Regina King

Regina King has won four Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in diverse television projects. She received acclaim for her roles in ‘American Crime’ and the miniseries ‘Seven Seconds’. Her leading performance in ‘Watchmen’ as Angela Abar earned her significant critical praise. King has also moved into directing for various television series and feature films.

Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies first became a star playing Nurse Carol Hathaway on the medical drama ‘ER’. She later took on the lead role of Alicia Florrick in ‘The Good Wife’ which ran for seven seasons. Margulies has won three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her television work. She is one of the few actresses to win an Emmy for two different long running dramas.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is a frequent collaborator with producer Ryan Murphy and has appeared in many seasons of ‘American Horror Story’. She won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Marcia Clark in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’. Her work often involves playing multiple or highly transformative characters within a single series. Paulson also starred in the title role of the Netflix series ‘Ratched’.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh spent ten seasons playing Dr. Cristina Yang on the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She later starred in the spy thriller ‘Killing Eve’ as Eve Polastri for four seasons. Oh has won two Golden Globe Awards and received numerous Emmy nominations for her television performances. She is recognized for bringing nuance and humor to intense dramatic roles.

Laura Linney

Laura Linney has had a distinguished career in both television and film with four Primetime Emmy Awards. She starred as Wendy Byrde in the crime drama ‘Ozark’ for four seasons. Previously she played the lead in ‘The Big C’ and appeared in the miniseries ‘John Adams’. Linney is known for her ability to portray complex and often morally ambiguous characters.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette won an Emmy Award for her role in ‘United States of Tara’ where she played a character with multiple personalities. She has appeared in several acclaimed miniseries including ‘Unbelievable’ and ‘The Staircase’. Her television work is noted for its range and her ability to disappear into diverse roles. Collette continues to work across international film and television projects.

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay has played Olivia Benson on ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’ since 1999. She holds the record for the longest running lead character in a live action primetime television series. Hargitay has won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance on the show. Beyond acting she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey created and starred in the sitcom ’30 Rock’ as the head writer Liz Lemon. She previously served as the first female head writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’. Her work on television has earned her nine Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes. Fey is also a successful producer and writer for projects like ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler starred as Leslie Knope in the sitcom ‘Parks and Recreation’ for seven seasons. She gained fame as a cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ where she co anchored Weekend Update. Poehler has won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her comedic performances. She is the founder of the organization Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls which focuses on empowering young women.

S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson played Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on ‘Law and Order’ for seventeen seasons. Her character became one of the most enduring figures in the history of the police procedural genre. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance in the television film ‘Lackawanna Blues’. Currently she stars as Sharon Goodwin in the medical drama ‘Chicago Med’.

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates has earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in television comedy and drama. She starred in ‘Harry’s Law’ and appeared in several seasons of the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’. Her performance as Delphine LaLaurie was particularly noted for its dark humor and intensity. Bates has also directed several episodes of television for shows like ‘Six Feet Under’.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman gained international recognition for her role in the crime drama ‘Broadchurch’. She later played Queen Elizabeth II in two seasons of the Netflix series ‘The Crown’. Colman won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her work on the show. She is celebrated for her versatility in both comedic series like ‘Peep Show’ and intense dramas.

Zendaya

Zendaya made history by becoming the youngest person to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She earned this accolade for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in the series ‘Euphoria’. Before this role she appeared in various television projects for the Disney Channel. Her performance has been praised for its raw and honest depiction of addiction and youth.

Jean Smart

Jean Smart has enjoyed a late career surge with her leading role in the comedy series ‘Hacks’. She has won several Emmy Awards for her work on shows like ‘Frasier’ and ‘Samantha Who’. Her recent roles in ‘Watchmen’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’ have further cemented her status as a versatile performer. Smart is known for her sharp comedic timing and dramatic range.

Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara is a veteran of sketch comedy who gained modern fame for her role as Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek’. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance during the final season of the show. Her career began with ‘SCTV’ where she developed numerous characters and comedy sketches. She is widely recognized for her unique vocal delivery and eccentric characterizations.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda starred in the long running comedy series ‘Grace and Frankie’ alongside Lily Tomlin. The show became the longest running original series on Netflix and explored life for older women. Fonda has received multiple Emmy nominations for her television work throughout her career. She is also a two time Academy Award winner and a prominent political activist.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is a legendary comedian and actress who starred in ‘Grace and Frankie’ for seven seasons. She first rose to fame on the variety show ‘Laugh In’ with her iconic characters like Edith Ann. Tomlin has won six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for her multifaceted work. She is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors for her contribution to the arts.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba became the first actress to win Emmy Awards in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role. She played Suzanne Warren in ‘Orange is the New Black’ throughout its seven season run. Aduba also won an Emmy for her portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in the miniseries ‘Mrs. America’. She is recognized for her powerful screen presence and character depth.

Christine Baranski

Christine Baranski is known for her role as Diane Lockhart in ‘The Good Wife’ and its spin off ‘The Good Fight’. She has received fifteen Primetime Emmy Award nominations across her career. Baranski previously won an Emmy for her work on the sitcom ‘Cybill’ in the 1990s. She is also a celebrated star of musical theater and film.

Kyra Sedgwick

Kyra Sedgwick played Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in the police drama ‘The Closer’ for seven seasons. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. The show was one of the highest rated cable series during its original run. Sedgwick has also produced and directed various projects within the television industry.

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