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Emmys Data: 72 Years of Older Male Acting Wins
10 Sep
Summary
- Men over 50 are nearly 30% more likely to be nominated.
- Men over 50 are nearly 20% more likely to win Emmys.
- The gender gap favoring older men has widened since 1954.
A comprehensive 72-year analysis of Emmy acting nominees and winners has uncovered a persistent gender gap favoring men over 50.
Published on September 10, 2026, the study found that men aged 50 and older are almost 30% more likely to receive nominations and nearly 20% more likely to win than women in the same age bracket.
This trend has been evident since 1954, with male nominees over 50 comprising 42% of all nominees, compared to 33% for women. The gap has notably widened in the 2020s, reaching 12 percentage points.
While the gender gap persists, particularly in lead acting categories, the study noted a narrowing of the gap for women nominated in supporting roles. This year, women over 50 represent a larger share of nominees than historically average, signaling some progress.
