Cady McClain Celebrates Third Daytime Emmy Win
Emmy-winning Cady McClain smiles with Tamara Braun on earning her third Daytime Emmy win!!
Image: Instagram
Cady McClain, the Emmy-winning powerhouse of daytime drama, has added yet another accolade to her name. On June 24, 2021, the actress clinched her third Daytime Emmy Award, and celebrated the milestone with a lighthearted Instagram post alongside fellow nominee Tamara Braun. In the snapshot, McClain leans in toward Braun, both flashing wide grins, and captioned the moment: “#fb to the daytime Emmy’s 2021. I won my third this year. Here goofing around the lovely Tamara Braun, who is a fantastic actress. 💕” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK3UhakRWCg/)
Celebrating A Triple Triumph
The 48th Daytime Emmy Awards unfolded at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, streaming live to fans who tuned in for their daily dose of drama. McClain was nominated in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Kelly Hudson on Days of Our Lives—a character she has embodied since returning to the show in 2012. As the presenter announced her name, McClain rose to accept her statue, praising her colleagues and crew for their ongoing support. “This community has been my home for decades,” she said during her speech. “I share this with every single person who has written, directed, and believed in Kelly Hudson.”
From Colby Chandler To Kelly Hudson
McClain’s roots in daytime television stretch back to 1987, when she debuted as Colby Chandler on All My Children. Only 17 at the time, she brought depth to the role of a headstrong teenager, earning her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in 1990. After a celebrated run on AMC, which spanned more than 500 episodes, she briefly ventured into primetime before returning to soaps. In 2018, she picked up her second Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, again for Days of Our Lives. That win marked nearly three decades between her first and second victories—an interval that underscores her enduring talent.
Social Media Cheers And Behind-the-scenes Moments
McClain’s Instagram share gives fans more than just red carpet glamour; it offers a peek into her genuine rapport with co-stars. In the current post, she tags fellow nominee Tamara Braun (@tamarabraun), herself a beloved figure from both General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. The lighthearted snap stands in contrast to the often scripted nature of awards ceremonies, and has already clocked thousands of likes and comments applauding their shared joy.
Tribute To A Writing Mentor
Long before the Emmys arrived, McClain’s success was nurtured by key collaborators. Earlier this year, she posted a throwback photo of a lunch date with Lorraine Broderick, the head writer of All My Children during McClain’s formative years on the show (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2cFoQRxiY/). “My beautiful friend, Lorraine Broderick, wrote for me for so many years. I am forever grateful for her gorgeous and generous spirit,” McClain wrote alongside the image. Broderick’s storylines provided McClain with the emotional material that led to her first Emmy win, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between actors and writers in soaps.
A Legacy Of Resilience And Reinvention
Beyond her accolades, McClain’s career is defined by versatility. Off-screen, she holds a BFA from Fordham University’s prestigious theatre program and has pursued writing and artwork when not filming. She returned to the stage in 2019, directing and mentoring young actors at Michael Howard Studios in New York, sharing each graduation class as though it were her own. McClain has also hinted at new television and theatre work for later in 2021, though details remain under wraps. Her ability to pivot between roles—whether as a cunning soap matriarch or an emerging playwright—suggests that fans will not have to wait long for her next act.
McClain’s third Daytime Emmy win is more than just personal validation. It highlights the longevity possible in daytime television, where audiences grow alongside their on-screen families. As she captioned her celebratory Instagram post, “I won my third this year,” one senses not a final bow but the opening line of her next scene.
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