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
Year Recipients Program Role NetworkRef 1984 Deidre HallDays of Our Lives Marlena Evans NBC 1985 Deidre HallDays of Our Lives Marlena Evans NBC 1986 Patsy Pease Days of Our Lives Kimberly Brady NBC 1988Kim Zimmer Guiding Light Reva Shayne CBS 1989 Jeanne CooperThe Young and the Restless Katherine Chancellor CBS1990Marcy Walker Santa Barbara Eden Capwell NBC 1991 Finola HughesGeneral Hospital Anna Devane ABC 1992 Anne HecheAnother World Marley Hudson/Vicky Hudson NBC 1993 Susan Lucci All My Children Erica Kane ABC 1994 Jess WaltonThe Young and the Restless Jill Abbott CBS 1995 Deidre Hall Days of Our Lives Marlena Evans NBC 1996 Robin StrasserOne Life to Live Dorian Lord ABC 1997Genie FrancisGeneral Hospital Laura Spencer ABC1998 Vanessa Marcil General HospitalBrenda Barrett ABC 1999 Lynn Herring Port Charles Lucy Coe ABC 2000Kim Zimmer Guiding Light Reva Shayne CBS 2001 Melody Thomas ScottThe Young and the Restless Nikki Newman CBS 2003Michelle Stafford The Young and the RestlessPhyllis Summers Abbott CBS 2005 Tamara BraunGeneral Hospital Carly Corinthos ABC
Total awards won
Wins Series 4 Days of Our LivesGeneral HospitalThe Young and the Restless Guiding Light 1 Santa BarbaraAnother World All My Children Port Charles One Life to Live
Multiple wins
Wins Actress Deidre Hall Kim Zimmer
References