This year's Lead Actor category was particularly exciting to watch because none of the nominees had ever been a winner in this category before, and four out of the five (outside of General Hospital's Steve Burton) had actually never won an Emmy, period! So, of course, it was a huge thrill to see The Young and the Restless' Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) collect his first Daytime Emmy ever -- after having been nominated five previous times.
Thompson pulled in his whole family for the acceptance speech that he prerecorded for the ceremony, and it was pretty cute to see him thanking Sony, CBS, his family, his fans, and others while his kids -- son Bowie Banjo and daughter Rome Coco -- made a ruckus and hugged each other in the background. Thompson expressed that he misses his Y&R family and can't wait to get back to work, and he also took a moment to express his support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
"I include myself in this when I say we need a willingness to learn through understanding and through compassion and humanity," he stated.
This #DaytimeEmmys acceptance speech has some pretty cute special guests! ?? We are so happy for @MyJasonThompson and his win for Outstanding Lead Actor in A Drama Series. ?? #YR pic.twitter.com/YHRIsTDQt9
— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) June 27, 2020
The competition in this year's Outstanding Lead Actress category was fierce -- damn near as fierce as the daytime divas each of the nominees plays on a daily basis. As one can imagine, that means that winning in this particular category is quite a thrilling experience. But it was even more so for this year's winner -- The Bold and the Beautiful's Heather Tom (Katie Logan) -- because this win, her sixth, ties the actress with Erika Slezak (Victoria Lord, One Life to Live) who, until now, held the record for the female performer with the most Daytime Emmy Awards in the performer categories.
In the prerecorded acceptance speech she submitted for the ceremony, Tom expressed that she has always been proud to be a part of the daytime community. She thanked numerous people, including everyone at B&B, her family, and the show's fans.
"I have always been so proud to be part of the daytime community. I am thrilled to have been nominated with these amazingly talented women," Tom said with a smile. "Of course, my biggest thanks has to go to Brad Bell and my Bold and the Beautiful family."
Tom then turned her attention to the B&B viewers. "To all of our fans who watch and support our show: if we can bring you a half an hour or an hour of joy every day, it is our honor to do so," she said. "Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong."
Tom previously won in the Younger Actress category for her work as The Young and the Restless' Victoria Newman in 1993 and 1999; in the Supporting Actress category for her work as B&B's Katie in 2011; and in the Lead category for her work as B&B's Katie in 2012 and 2013. She is the only actress in Daytime Emmy history to win in all three acting categories.
Congratulations to #DaytimeEmmys winner @BBheathertom for her big win tonight! ? We are so lucky to have you in the #BoldandBeautiful family. ?? pic.twitter.com/hloeFbN94G
— Bold & The Beautiful (@BandB_CBS) June 27, 2020
