23 Incredible Throwback Photos of Stars at the Emmy Awards — from Betty White to Michael J. Fox
23 Incredible Throwback Photos of Stars at the Emmy Awards — from Betty White to Michael J. Fox
Stephanie SengweMon, September 14, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTC
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Seinfeld CastCredit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
TV’s biggest night is here!
Noah Wyle, Jean Smart, Sterling K. Brown and Kerri Russell are just some of the stars who will be hitting the red carpet at the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. The show always delivers a mix of laughter and tears, and with, Mariska Hargitay as the host, audiences can look forward to an extra dose of glamour.Ahead of all the fashion moments, reunions and heartfelt speeches, here’s a look back at some of the most unforgettable moments in Emmys’ history.
01 of 23
Three’s Company
Vivian Vance, Lucille Ball and Desi ArnazCredit: Bettmann
Costars Vivian Vance and Lucille Ball smooched Ball’s husband, Desi Arnaz, after I Love Lucy won Best Situation Comedy in 1954.
02 of 23
Comedic Costars
Carl Reiner and Pat CarrollCredit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Carl Reiner, winner of Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, gave his Caesar’s Hour costar Pat Carroll, winner of Best Supporting Performance by an Actress, a congratulatory kiss in 1957.
03 of 23
Legendary Win
Harry BelafonteCredit: Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty
Harry Belafonte made history in 1960 by becoming the first Black person to win an Emmy for his performance in The Revlon Revue: Tonight with Belafonte.
04 of 23
Say Cheese
Carol BurnettCredit: CBS via Getty
Carol Burnett was all smiles after being honored with her second Emmy for Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall and An Evening with Carol Burnett in 1963.
05 of 23
Glamour Girl
Barbra StreisandCredit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty
Barbra Streisand took home the statue for Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment for her performance in the TV special My Name Is Barbra in 1965.
06 of 23
Fab Four
Peter Falk, Mitzi Gaynor, Julie Andrews and William ConradCredit: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Emmy winners Peter Falk (Columbo) and Julie Andrews (Julie and Andrews) posed with Mitzi Gaynor and William Conrad in the press room at the 1972 show.
07 of 23
Looking at You
Merv GriffinCredit: CBS via Getty
His show wasn’t nominated that year, but that didn’t stop 1969 cohost, Merv Griffin, from cozying up to an award.
08 of 23
Double Fisting
Cicely TysonCredit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
A radiant Cicely Tyson took home not one, but two Emmys for the titular role in The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman in 1974.
09 of 23
Love is All Around
Edward Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Knight.Credit: CBS via Getty
Mary Tyler MooreShow cast mates, Edward Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight were thrilled with their wins at the 1976 ceremony.
10 of 23
Major Moment
Esther RolleCredit: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
In 1979, Esther Rolle won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special for her role in Summer of My German Soldier.
11 of 23
Legends Only
Allan Blye, Dick Van Dyke, Bob EinsteinCredit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Dick Van Dyke, writer Allan Blye, and producer/writer Bob Einstein won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy-Variety in 1977 for Van Dyke and Company.
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12 of 23
Hosts with the Most
Henry Winkler and Cheryl LaddCredit: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
1979 hosts Henry Winkler and Cheryl Ladd posed with a lineup of Emmys in this photo taken at the 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
13 of 23
Bling, Bling
Mr T, winner John Erman and George PeppardCredit: Brigitte Wiltzer /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty
Only a guy as cool as Mr. T could get away with going shirtless at the Emmy Awards. The A Team actor was pictured celebrating John Erman’s win, alongside George Peppard in 1983.
14 of 23
Star on the Rise
Michael J FoxCredit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Michael J. Fox nabbed his first Emmy in 1986 for his role as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. At 25, he was the youngest actor ever to win the award for lead actor in a comedy series.
15 of 23
Ever So Golden
Cast of ‘Golden Girls’Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Three out four of the Golden Girls main cast — Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Betty White — were pictured in coordinating ensembles as White held her trophy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series back in 1986.
16 of 23
Double Wins
James Earl JonesCredit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
James Earl Jones had a big night at the 1991 Emmys walking away with two wins: one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as in Gabriel’s Fire, the other for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special for his work in Heat Wave.
17 of 23
Three’s Company
Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty and Luke PerryCredit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
A beautiful Shannen Doherty was sandwiched between her Beverly Hills 90210 costars Jason Priestley and Luke Perry as the trio attended the 43rd Emmy Awards together.
18 of 23
Friends and Costars
Seinfeld CastCredit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Seinfeld costars Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander carried their gold through the press room in 1993. The show snagged three trophies —Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Richards and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series for Larry David.
19 of 23
Scream for Joy
Cyndi Lauper and comedian Carl ReinerCredit: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
A hype Cyndi Lauper was stoked to celebrate Carl Reiner’s Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series win in 1995.
20 of 23
Black Excellence
Alfre Woodard and Laurence FishburneCredit: Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr
Past winner Laurence Fishburne and Alfre Woodard had their hands full as they showed up as presenters for the 1996 show.
21 of 23
On the Rise
James Van Der BeekCredit: Donato Sardella/Penske Media via Getty
A young James Van Der Beek showed up in a classic tux for his appearance at the 1999 show.
22 of 23
Young Love
Sarah Jessica ParkerCredit: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty
Lead Actress in Comedy Series nominee Sarah Jessica Parker was accompanied by husband Matthew Broderick to the 2000 show.
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Kisses from Hubby
Felicity Huffman and William H. MacyCredit: Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic
No one was prouder of Felicity Huffman’s Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series win than husband William H. Macy, who planted a kiss on the actress as she held her trophy in 2005.
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