The 5 Most Shocking Wins For Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series (Plus The Latest 2025 Winner)

The Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series is arguably one of the most unpredictable and compelling categories at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards. This award celebrates a singular, impactful performance, often requiring a beloved actor to appear for just one or two episodes and completely steal the show. As of December 2025, the category continues to honor brief but brilliant turns that leave a lasting impression on the television landscape, frequently serving as a proving ground for dramatic actors to showcase their comedic chops.

The latest results from the Creative Arts Emmys confirm the category’s dynamic nature, with a recent winner taking home the coveted prize for a critically acclaimed performance on a streaming darling. The stakes are always high, pitting Hollywood legends against breakout stars in a true battle of scene-stealing talent.

The Current Reigning Champion: Julianne Nicholson’s Masterful Turn

The most recent winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series is Julianne Nicholson, who secured the honor at the 77th Creative Arts Emmy Awards for her performance in the HBO Max series *Hacks*.

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Nicholson’s win for her role as an unexpected relative of Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance character was a testament to the power of a perfectly cast, emotionally resonant guest spot. Her performance added a new layer of depth and familial complexity to the already rich narrative of the show, proving that the category often rewards not just laughs, but nuanced, layered acting.

This victory follows a hotly contested field of nominees, underscoring the fierce competition that defines this category every year. The list of contenders for the 77th Emmys included some of the biggest names in film and television, all delivering memorable performances in 2025.

77th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees (2025)

• Julianne Nicholson (Winner) as [Character Name] in *Hacks*
• Olivia Colman as Chef Terry in *The Bear*
• Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto in *The Bear*
• Cynthia Erivo as [Character Name] in *Poker Face*
• Robby Hoffman as [Character Name] in *Hacks*
• Zoë Kravitz as [Character Name] in [Series Name]

The nomination of both Olivia Colman and Jamie Lee Curtis for their roles in *The Bear* highlights the incredible ensemble nature of the series, a show that has become an Emmy powerhouse across all comedy categories, despite its often dramatic tone.

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A Look Back: The Star-Making & Scene-Stealing Wins of the 76th Emmys

The previous year's winner, honored at the 76th Creative Arts Emmys, was another powerhouse performance that dominated the cultural conversation: Jamie Lee Curtis for her role as Donna Berzatto in the FX/Hulu hit, *The Bear*.

Curtis's win was for her searing, unforgettable portrayal of the volatile, emotionally complex matriarch of the Berzatto family in the episode "Fishes." This single-episode performance was widely praised for its intensity, showcasing the actor's dramatic range within a show classified as a comedy. Her performance, alongside an all-star cast of guest performers, cemented the episode as a modern television classic.

Jamie Lee Curtis’s victory is a prime example of how this category often rewards a transformative, one-off performance that anchors a pivotal episode. Her win was a highlight of a competitive year that also featured several other notable nominees in the comedy guest actress field, including Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Maya Rudolph, and Kristen Wiig.

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The Pantheon of Guest Comediennes: Records and Legendary Victories

While recent winners like Julianne Nicholson and Jamie Lee Curtis have made indelible marks, the history of the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category is filled with legendary figures and surprising upsets. The award, which has existed in its current, gender-specific form since 1989, celebrates the art of the perfect cameo.

The sheer number of iconic careers that have been celebrated in this category speaks to its prestige. The following actors hold the most wins, defining the gold standard for guest-starring excellence:

Most Awarded Actresses in the Comedy Guest Category

The record for the most wins in this category belongs to a true icon of television comedy:

• Cloris Leachman (3 Wins): Leachman holds the record with three victories, first for *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* in 1975 (before the category was gender-specific) and then two wins for *Malcolm in the Middle* (2002 and 2006). Her longevity and versatility across different eras of comedy are unmatched.

Following closely behind with multiple wins are several other comedy titans, demonstrating the category's appreciation for consistent, high-quality guest work:

• Tina Fey: Known for her wins for hosting *Saturday Night Live* (SNL), Fey has consistently proven her ability to command the stage in a guest role. Her wins highlight the enduring Emmy success of SNL guest hosts.
• Maya Rudolph: A fan-favorite for her impressions and comedic timing, Rudolph has also earned multiple statues for her appearances on *Saturday Night Live*, often for her pitch-perfect portrayal of Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Betty White: The legendary Golden Girl earned a win for her iconic hosting turn on *Saturday Night Live*, a testament to her enduring appeal and comedic genius late in her career.
• Colleen Dewhurst: A celebrated stage and screen actress who won twice for her role as Murphy Brown’s mother, Avery Brown, in the series *Murphy Brown*.
• Kathryn Joosten: Known for her memorable roles, including a two-time winner for her portrayal of Karen McCluskey in *Desperate Housewives*.
• Jean Smart: Before her multiple wins for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for *Hacks*, Smart also secured a win in the guest category for her work in *Frasier*.
• Tracey Ullman: A versatile performer who has won multiple Emmys across various categories, including for her guest work.

Other notable winners who have defined the category include Tiffany Haddish for hosting *Saturday Night Live* and Jane Lynch for her role as Sazz Pataki in *Only Murders in the Building*.

The Evolution of the Guest Star Role and Topical Authority

The Emmy category for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series has evolved significantly since its inception. Initially, before 1989, the award was non-gender specific, known as the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. The separation into male and female categories allowed for greater recognition of the specific contributions of actresses.

Today, the award is a strong indicator of a show's topical authority and cultural relevance. A guest role win can instantly boost a series' profile. For instance, the recent dominance of *The Bear* and *Hacks* in this category demonstrates how prestige comedies—often blending humor with profound dramatic elements—are creating the most compelling, award-worthy guest opportunities. The guest actress is no longer just a comedic foil; she is often the catalyst for the main characters' emotional breakthroughs or breakdowns.

The trend of major film stars, like Jamie Lee Curtis and Olivia Colman, taking on guest roles is a clear sign of the blurring lines between film and television and the prestige now associated with a brief but powerful TV appearance. For viewers, this category consistently delivers some of the most memorable and talked-about performances of the television year, proving that sometimes, less is truly more.