Daytime Emmy Awards History: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Marcy Walker

Five talented ladies are nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category for the 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards-- Nominated are: Finola Hughes (Anna) General Hospital, Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) Days of our Lives, Maura West (Ava) General Hospital, Tracey Bregman (Lauren) The Young and the Restless, and Kassie DePaiva (Eve) Days of our Lives. Only one will end up winning the coveted trophy.  The Outstanding Lead Actress category is always an exciting one. And we have proof!

The clips below feature the winning actresses from previous years accepting their awards:

* Kim Zimmer as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light in 1985
* Marcy Walker as Eden Capwell Castillo on Santa Barbara in 1989
* Linda Dano as Felicia Gallant on Another World in 1993
* Hillary B.Smith as Nora Gannon on One Life to Live in 1994
* Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Carpenter on One Life to Live in 1995
* Jess Walton as Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1997
* Cynthia Watros as Annie Dutton on Guiding light in 1998
* Susan Lucci finally winning the Emmy as Erika Kane on All My Children in 1999
* Susan Flannery as Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2000
* Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 2004
* Kim Zimmer as Reva Shayne Lewis on Guiding Light in 2006
* The late Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless in 2008
* Maura West as Carly Tenney on As the World Turns in 2010
* Heather Tom as Katie Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2013
* Eileen Davidson as Kristen DiMera on Days of our Lives in 2014
* Maura West as Ava Jerome on General Hospital in 2015

Beau Kazer Dead at 63

Beau Kazer, pictured with former The Young and the Restless co-star Jeanne Cooper.

Beau Kazer (also credited as Beau Kayser and Beau Kayzer), who originated the role of Brock Reynolds on The Young and the Restless in 1974, passed away on December 30 in Thousand Oaks, CA.

The Toronto native made the move to Los Angeles when he was only 17. There, he studied at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre. After graduating, Kayzer made his debut on General Hospital, where he was an extra. He then landed the much more high-profile role on Y&R, playing Katherine Chancellor's (Jeanne Cooper) son, Brock — though he returned to GH as Dr. Bunny Willis in 1983.

Over the years Brock transformed from a rebellious young man into a minister and lawyer, among other careers. During his 1999 return, the character learned he fathered a daughter, Mackenzie Browning (Ashley Bashioum).

FLASHBACK: "Ladies of the Day" Lunch with Jeanne Cooper, Rachel Ames, Judy Lewis, Emily McLaughlin, Dorothy Green & Patty Weaver

In the mid-1970s, an informal federation of Hollywood soap opera queens, called the "Ladies of the Day," met for occasional lunchtime gabfests. The photo above is from one of those lunches. Reprinted in the May 22, 1976 issue of TV Guide ("Love of Lunch [a continuing saga]"), one of the legendary actresses pictured is celebrating a birthday today.

Jeanne Cooper (October 25, 1928 – May 8, 2013)
Ms. Cooper played Katherine Chancellor on CBS' The Young and the Restless from 1973-2013. At the time of the lunch, Kay was a bored, widowed, filthy rich drunk being tortured by her late husband's lover. Ms. Cooper complained about the salary of soap stars at the time ($400-3,500 a week). During her run on the show, she was nominated 10 times for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance (winning in 2008), and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.