Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama


The Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama is an award held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. It was first awarded at the 1st Soap Opera Digest Award ceremony in 1984. It is given to honor an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role while working within the soap opera genre industry. The winners are decided by the fans who read the magazine.
Deidre Hall holds the most wins, winning in 1984, 1985 and 1995. Hall is followed by Kim Zimmer who won twice in 1988 and 2000.

Winners

YearRecipientsProgramRoleNetworkRef
1984
Deidre HallDays of Our LivesMarlena Evans
NBC
1985
Deidre HallDays of Our LivesMarlena Evans
NBC
1986
Patsy PeaseDays of Our LivesKimberly Brady
NBC
1988
Kim ZimmerGuiding LightReva Shayne
CBS
1989
Jeanne CooperThe Young and the RestlessKatherine Chancellor
CBS
1990
Marcy WalkerSanta BarbaraEden Capwell
NBC
1991
Finola HughesGeneral HospitalAnna Devane
ABC
1992
Anne HecheAnother WorldMarley Hudson/Vicky Hudson
NBC
1993
Susan LucciAll My ChildrenErica Kane
ABC
1994
Jess WaltonThe Young and the RestlessJill Abbott
CBS
1995
Deidre HallDays of Our LivesMarlena Evans
NBC
1996
Robin StrasserOne Life to LiveDorian Lord
ABC
1997
Genie FrancisGeneral HospitalLaura Spencer
ABC
1998
Vanessa MarcilGeneral HospitalBrenda Barrett
ABC
1999
Lynn HerringPort CharlesLucy Coe
ABC
2000
Kim ZimmerGuiding LightReva Shayne
CBS
2001
Melody Thomas ScottThe Young and the RestlessNikki Newman
CBS
2003
Michelle StaffordThe Young and the RestlessPhyllis Summers Abbott
CBS
2005
Tamara BraunGeneral HospitalCarly Corinthos
ABC

Total awards won

WinsSeries
4Days of Our Lives
4General Hospital
4The Young and the Restless
2
Guiding Light
1Santa Barbara
1Another World
1All My Children
1Port Charles
1One Life to Live

Multiple wins

WinsActress
3
Deidre Hall
2
Kim Zimmer