Tamara Tunie claims first Daytime Emmy after 17-year absence

Tamara Tunie won Outstanding Lead Actress for Anita Dupree on Beyond the Gates at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Oct. 30, 2026. It was her first Emmy after 17 years away from daytime; she previously played Jessica Griffin on As the World Turns for over two decades from the 1980s. After a standing ovation she thanked the Academy, cast and crew, honored Black actresses beginning with Cicely Tyson, and accepted on behalf of her mother Evelyn, 92, who attended. Scott Clifton won lead actor for The Bold and the Beautiful. Beth Maitland won Outstanding Supporting Actress for Traci Abbott on The Young and the Restless, 41 years after her 1985 win. Roger Howarth won a supporting award decades after an earlier win. General Hospital won Outstanding Drama Series for a record 19th time and sixth consecutive year. Tracee Ellis Ross won in travel and adventure for Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross. Beyond the Gates had 15 nominations. No factual dispute found. Left-rated coverage led with Tunie's win, mother dedication and return to soaps. Right-rated coverage led with the 17-year absence and a Young and the Restless win.