Susan Lucci: The Perennial Runner-Up
For years, Leonardo DiCaprio’s streak of five Oscar nominations without a win became a running joke and the subject of countless memes—until he finally broke the curse in 2016 with his win for The Revenant. But his wait pales in comparison to Susan Lucci’s legendary run at the Emmys. Portraying Erica Kane on the soap opera All My Children for an incredible 41 years—from the show’s premiere in 1970 until its end in 2011—Lucci set one of the most improbable records in television history.
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Susan Lucci was nominated almost every year beginning in 1978, yet the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series continually slipped through her fingers. After 18 consecutive nominations without a win, "the Susan Lucci of..." became a popular phrase, used to describe anyone who was endlessly nominated but never victorious. Over time, she became a cultural symbol of perpetual runner-ups, and the media often poked fun at her reputation.
For much of its history, the Daytime Emmys attracted little mainstream attention. But as Lucci’s losing streak dragged on, the show saw a noticeable surge in viewership, with each year’s ceremony becoming a highly anticipated event. Fans and industry insiders alike tuned in, eager to see if this would finally be her year. The Emmys wasted no time leaning into the hype, with hosts and presenters routinely making light of her growing list of nominations and playing up the suspense.
Lucci, to her credit, took it all in stride. She even hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, where the cast, crew, and stagehands humorously flaunted their own Emmys around her, using them as casual, everyday objects during her monologue.
But beneath the jokes was a genuinely compelling story. Over time, whispers and conspiracy theories emerged suggesting the academy might be deliberately withholding the award to keep the media circus alive. The narrative took on a life of its own, transforming Lucci into a beloved underdog. Her ability to handle repeated losses with grace and humor won people over to the point that she often received standing ovations—simply for showing up, year after year
"THE STREAK IS OVER!"
Heading into the 26th Daytime Emmy Awards in 1999, Susan Lucci was once again the frontrunner for Outstanding Lead Actress—a familiar position after years of near misses. By then, her legendary losing streak had become such a fixture in Emmy lore that it was widely known as the “Susan Lucci Curse.”
When she finally shattered that curse, it became a landmark moment not just for soap operas, but for television history as a whole. As Shemar Moore (The Young and the Restless) took the stage to present the award, he famously opened the envelope and declared, “The streak is over!” Instantly, the room erupted in what many still consider the loudest and longest standing ovation the Emmys have ever seen.
After more than a minute of thunderous applause, Lucci didn’t dwell on her past 18 losses. Instead, she graciously thanked the voters for her 19 nominations and reflected on the journey. She said that if she had won earlier, she might never have received the “poems, letters, drawings, balloons, and chocolate cakes” from fans who had supported her through each disappointment. In the end, it wasn’t just a win—it was a celebration of resilience, gratitude, and the power of staying in the fight.
