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Daytime Emmys

Daytime Emmys Flashback: Classic Emmy Moments From the 1980s!

By Chris Eades
Daytime Emmys 80s trio
Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

With the 2020 Daytime Emmys approaching but unable to be held publicly due to the worldwide pandemic, we thought it might be fun to look back at some classic Emmy memories from the decade when soaps were at their peak — the ’80s!

So get your hairspray and shoulder pads ready and check out this gallery below to see classic pics of your favorite stars from ALL MY CHILDREN, GENERAL HOSPITAL, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, AS THE WORLD TURNS, GUIDING LIGHT, and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. Heck, we’ll even throw in some SANTA BARBARA and RYAN’S HOPE for good measure!

For more Daytime Emmy news, keep reading Soaps In Depth magazine!

  1. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress winners Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL) and Darnell Williams (Jesse, AMC) hoisting their trophies at the 12th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1985.

  3. Ron Galella/WireImage
    Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC) escorted down the red carpet at the 14th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1987 by her husband Helmut Huber.

  5. Ron Galella/WireImage
    DAYS stars Drake Hogestyn (John) and Deidre Hall (Marlena) at the 13th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1986.

  6. ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images
    At the 8th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1981, Agnes Nixon received the prestigious National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Trustees Award, and Judith Light won the Outstanding Lead Actress awards for her work as Karen on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

  7. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    Stuart Damon (Alan, GH) clowning around for the cameras at the 11th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at New York City's Sheraton Center in 1984 where GH walked off with Outstanding Daytime Drama!

  9. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    OLTL's Andrea Evans (Tina) got a lift from RYAN HOPE's Roscoe Born (Joe) at the 13th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1986!

  10. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    AS THE WORLD TURNS stars Farley Granger (Earl) and Eileen Fulton (Lisa) at the "Fete Italiano" party celebrating ATWT's nominees for the 13th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1986.

  11. ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES
    Executive Producer Gloria Monty accepting GH's win for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 8th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1981.

  13. Ron Galella/WireImage
    Leslie Charleson (Monica, GH) at the 9th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at NYC's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1982.

  14. Ron Galella/WireImage
    SANTA BARBARA stars Robin Mattson (Gina), Jed Allen (C.C.) and Judith McConnell (Sophia) attending the 13th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1986.

  15. Ron Galella/WireImage
    Outstanding Lead Actor Larry Bryggman (John, ATWT) and Lead Actress Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL) celebrating their wins at the 14th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1987.

  17. Ron Galella/WireImage
    Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GH) took home the Outstanding Ingenue award at the 16th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1989.

  18. Jacklyn Zeman Sam Behrens Emmys 87
    Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    GH stars Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie) and Sam Behrens (Jake) at the 14th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at NYC's Sheraton Centre Hotel in 1987.

  19. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    Marcy Walker (Eden, SB) and David Canary (Adam/Stuart, AMC) were the Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress award winners at the 16th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1989.

  21. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    GL stars John Wesley Shipp (Kelly) and Jennifer Cooke (Morgan) at the 9th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at NYC's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1982.

  22. Ron Galella/WireImage
    AMC's Susan Lucci (Erica) was a vision in blue as she entered the 16th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1989.

  23. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    Although Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL) lost out to Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) at the 13th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1986, she looked like a golden statuette herself!

  25. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    Ellen Wheeler took home the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress at the 15th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1988 for her work as AMC's Cindy.

  26. Ron Galella/WireImage
    Y&R's Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) at the 16th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1989.

  27. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
    SANTA BARBARA stars Signy Coleman (Celeste) and Vincent Irizarry (Scott) attending the 16th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1989.

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