Another record involves Bryan Cranston of AMC’s Breaking Bad and his quest to win his fourth Emmy in succession for drama lead actor on the series. That would tie him with Dennis Franz of NYPD Blue for most in the category. However, Franz didn’t earn his in consecutive years (1994, ’96, ’97, ’99), while Cranston would be winning for the fourth straight time that he’s been eligible. That’s never been done before on the drama acting side.
The only other performer to win Emmys in four consecutive years for the same role on the same series is John Larroquette, who managed the feat as supporting comedy actor for Night Court (1995-98). (Larroquette would later win a fifth statuette for guest actor on The Practice.) The only performers to win five Emmys for the same series role are Don Knotts as supporting comedy actor for The Andy Griffith Show (1961, ’62, ’63, ’66, ’67) and Candice Bergen as lead comedy actress for Murphy Brown (1989, ’90, ’92, ’94, ’95).