# List of awards and nominations received by The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls is an American television sitcom created by Susan Harris and produced by Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. The series focuses on four older women all sharing a home in Miami, Florida. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty portray the four main characters Dorothy Zbornak, Rose Nylund, Blanche Devereaux and Sophia Petrillo. The Golden Girls aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992, broadcasting 180 episodes over seven seasons during its initial run.
During the series' run, The Golden Girls received nominations for a variety of different awards, including 68 Emmy Awards (with 11 wins), 21 Golden Globe Awards (with 4 wins), 5 American Comedy Awards (all wins), 3 Directors Guild of America Awards (with 2 wins), and 5 Writers Guild of America Awards (with one win). The lead actresses all won Emmy Awards — Arthur, McClanahan and White won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Getty won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The cast were named Disney Legends in 2009.

## Awards and nominations
### American Comedy Awards

Betty White won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication in 1987 and received a nomination for the award in 1990. In 1990, White also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy. Estelle Getty won the award for Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series in 1991 and 1992.
| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1987 | Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication | Betty White | Won |
| 1990 | Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication | Betty White | Nominated |
| 1990 | Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy | Betty White | Won |
| 1991 | Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series | Estelle Getty | Won |
| 1992 | Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series | Estelle Getty | Won |

### ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1988 | Top TV Series | George Aliceson Tipton | Won |
| 1989 | Top TV Series | George Aliceson Tipton | Won |
| 1990 | Top TV Series | George Aliceson Tipton | Won |
| 1991 | Top TV Series | George Aliceson Tipton | Won |

### BMI Film & TV Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1987 | Best TV Series | Andrew Gold | Won |
| 1988 | Best TV Series | Andrew Gold | Won |
| 1989 | Best TV Series | Andrew Gold | Won |
| 1990 | Best TV Series | Andrew Gold | Won |
| 1991 | Best TV Series | Andrew Gold | Won |

### Directors Guild of America Awards

Director Jay Sandrich won a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series in 1985 for his work on the pilot episode "The Engagement". Terry Hughes, one of the series' most prominent directors, received the award the following year for his work on the second-season episode "Isn't it Romantic?". Hughes was also nominated for the same award in 1987, but lost to Will Mackenzie, for the Family Ties episode "My Name is Alex".
| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1985 | Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series | Jay Sandrich for "The Engagement" | Won |
| 1986 | Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series | Terry Hughes for "Isn't it Romantic?" | Won |
| 1987 | Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series | Terry Hughes for "Old Friends" | Nominated |

### Emmy Awards

The Golden Girls received 58 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with eleven wins — eight Primetime and three Creative Arts. The series won the award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1986 and 1987. All four principal stars won an Emmy Award for their performances, a milestone that only three other series (All in the Family, Will & Grace, and Schitt’s Creek) have achieved; of these four series, it is the only one whose cast had actors competing against each other in the same category. Betty White won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1986, with Rue McClanahan winning the award in 1987 and Bea Arthur winning in 1988. In 1988, Estelle Getty won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the first-season episode "A Little Romance". Terry Hughes won the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the season two episode "Isn't It Romantic?". The three Creative Arts Emmy Awards the series won were for Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series in 1986, 1988 and 1992.

#### Primetime Emmy Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Episodes(s) | Result |
| 1986 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Paul Bogart, Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Paul Bogart, Terry Grossman, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Won |
| 1986 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Bea Arthur as "Dorothy Zbornak" | for "The Triangle" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Rue McClanahan as "Blanche Devereaux" | for "The Way We Met" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White as "Rose Nylund" | for "In a Bed of Rose's" | Won |
| 1986 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Jim Drake | for "The Heart Attack" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Terry Hughes | for "A Little Romance" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan | for "A Little Romance" | Won |
| 1986 | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Susan Harris | for "Pilot" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Barry Fanaro, Terry Grossman, Susan Harris, Winifred Hervey, Mort Nathan, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Barry Fanaro, Terry Grossman, Susan Harris, Winifred Hervey, Mort Nathan, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Won |
| 1987 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Bea Arthur | for "The Stan Who Came to Dinner" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Rue McClanahan | for "End of the Curse" | Won |
| 1987 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "Isn't It Romantic?" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty | Estelle Getty | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Terry Hughes | for "Isn't It Romantic?" | Won |
| 1987 | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Jeffrey Duteil | for "Isn't It Romantic?" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Herb Edelman as "Stan Zbornak" | for "The Stan Who Came to Dinner" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Lois Nettleton as "Jean" | for "Isn't It Romantic?" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nancy Walker as "Angela" | for "Long Day's Journey Into Marinara" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Jeffrey Ferro, Terry Grossman, Susan Harris, Winifred Hervey, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Fredric Weiss, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Jeffrey Ferro, Terry Grossman, Susan Harris, Winifred Hervey, Kathy Speer, Tony Thomas, Fredric Weiss, Marsha Posner Williams, and Paul Junger Witt | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Bea Arthur | for "My Brother, My Father" | Won |
| 1988 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Rue McClanahan | for "Strange Bedfellows" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "Bringing Up Baby" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | for "Old Friends" | Won |
| 1988 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Terry Hughes | for "Old Friends" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Herb Edelman as "Stan Zbornak" | for "The Audit" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Geraldine Fitzgerald as "Anna" | for "Mother's Day" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, Susan Harris, Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman, Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro, Eric Cohen, Martin Weiss, and Robert Bruce | Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, Susan Harris, Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman, Mort Nathan, Barry Fanaro, Eric Cohen, Martin Weiss, and Robert Bruce | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Bea Arthur | for "Love Me Tender" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Rue McClanahan | for "Yes, We Have No Havanas" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "High Anxiety" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | for "Sophia's Wedding" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Terry Hughes | for "Brother Can You Spare That Jacket" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Jack Gilford as "Max Weinstock" | for "Sophia's Wedding" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Robert Bruce, Tracy Gamble, Susan Harris, Terry Hughes, Philip Jayson Lasker, Gail Parent, Marc Sotkin, Tony Thomas, Richard Vaczy, Martin Weiss, Tom Whedon, and Paul Junger Witt | Robert Bruce, Tracy Gamble, Susan Harris, Terry Hughes, Philip Jayson Lasker, Gail Parent, Marc Sotkin, Tony Thomas, Richard Vaczy, Martin Weiss, Tom Whedon, and Paul Junger Witt | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "Rose Fights Back" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | for "Not Another Monday" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Terry Hughes | for "Triple Play" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Jerry Orbach as "Glen O'Brien" | for "Cheaters" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Dick Van Dyke as "Ken Whittingham" | for "Love Under the Big Top" | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nina Feinberg, Tracy Gamble, Susan Harris, Paul Junger Witt, Philip Jayson Lasker, Gail Parent, Jerry Perzigian, Don Seigel, Marc Sotkin, Tony Thomas, Richard Vaczy, and Tom Whedon | Nina Feinberg, Tracy Gamble, Susan Harris, Paul Junger Witt, Philip Jayson Lasker, Gail Parent, Jerry Perzigian, Don Seigel, Marc Sotkin, Tony Thomas, Richard Vaczy, and Tom Whedon | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "Once, in St. Olaf" | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | for "Ebbtide's Revenge" | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Brenda Vaccaro as "Angela" | for "Ebbtide's Revenge" | Nominated |
| 1992 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Betty White | for "Dateline: Miami" | Nominated |
| 1992 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | for "One Flew Out the Cuckoo's Nest" | Nominated |

#### Creative Arts Emmy Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Episodes(s) | Result |
| 1986 | Outstanding Art Direction for a Series | Edward Stephenson | for "Pilot" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Achievement in Costuming for a Series | Judy Evans | for "Nice and Easy" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Editing for a Series (Multi-Camera Production) | Harold McKenzie | for "Pilot" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series | Alan Walker | for "On Golden Girls" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | Terri Lynn Fraser, Allen Patapoff, Craig Porter, and Ken Quale | for "Pilot" | Nominated |
| 1986 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | Randy Baer, Victor Bagdadi, Gerry Bucci, Dale Carlson, Steve Jones, and Donna Quante | for "Pilot" | Won |
| 1987 | Outstanding Editing for a Series (Multi-Camera Production) | Harold McKenzie | for "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | Richard Burns, Ed Epstein, Allen Patapoff and Craig Porter | for "Ladies of the Evening" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | Edward L. Moskowitz, John S. Orr, Allen Patapoff and Craig Porter | for "A Piece of Cake" | Nominated |
| 1987 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | O. Tamburri, Jack Chisolm, Ritch Kennedy, Ken Tamburri, Carol Wetovich, and Bob Kaufman | for "Forgive Me Father" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Editing for a Series (Multi-Camera Production) | Jim McElroy | for "Old Friends" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series | Alan Walker | for "Old Friends" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | Edward L. Moskowitz, Allen Patapoff, and Craig Porter | for "Old Friends" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | O. Tamburri, Jack Chisolm, Stephen A. Jones, Ritch Kenney, Ken Tamburri, and Bob Kaufman | for "Old Friends" | Won |
| 1989 | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series | Alan Walker | for "Yokel Hero" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | Edward L. Moskowitz, Allen Patapoff, and Craig Porter | for "You Gotta Have Hope" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | O. Tamburri, Ritch Kenney, Ken Tamburri, Chester Jackson, Stephen A. Jones, and John O'Brien | for "Brother, Can You Spare That Jacket" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series | Alan Walker | for "Ebb Tide" | Nominated |
| 1990 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | O. Tamburri, Ritch Kennedy, Chester Jackson, Stephen A. Jones, Dave Heckman, Randy Johnson | for "Love Under The Big Top" | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Series | Alan Walker | for "The Bloom is Off the Rose" | Nominated |
| 1991 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | Kenneth Tamburri, Ritch Kennedy, Chester Jackson, Stephen A. Jones, Dave Heckman, Randy Johnson | for "What a Difference a Date Makes" | Nominated |
| 1992 | Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camerawork/Video Control for a Series | Dave Heckman, Chester Jackson, Stephen A. Jones, Randy Johnson, Ritch Kennedy, Bob Keys, John O'Brien, Richard Steiner, and Kenneth Tamburri | for "One Flew Out the Cuckoo's Nest" Parts 1 and 2 | Won |

### Golden Globe Awards

The Golden Girls received 21 Golden Globe Award nominations during its tenure, with four wins — three for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Estelle Getty won the award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, tying with Moonlighting's Cybill Shepherd for the award.
| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1986 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Won |
| 1986 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak | Nominated |
| 1986 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | Won |
| 1986 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux | Nominated |
| 1986 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Betty White as Rose Nylund | Nominated |
| 1987 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Won |
| 1987 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak | Nominated |
| 1987 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | Nominated |
| 1987 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux | Nominated |
| 1987 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Betty White as Rose Nylund | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Won |
| 1988 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Betty White as Rose Nylund | Nominated |
| 1989 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
| 1989 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak | Nominated |
| 1989 | Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Betty White as Rose Nylund | Nominated |
| 1990 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
| 1991 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
| 1992 | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
| 1992 | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo | Nominated |

### TV Land Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2003 | Quintessential Non-Traditional Family | Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White | Won |
| 2004 | Favorite "Big, Bad Momma" | Estelle Getty | Nominated |
| 2007 | Favorite Elvis Impersonation | Quentin Tarantino | Nominated |
| 2008 | Pop Culture Award | Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Betty White | Won |

### Viewers for Quality Television Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1987 | Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series | Betty White | Won |
| 1988 | Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series | Betty White | Won |
| 1988 | Best Quality Comedy Series | Best Quality Comedy Series | Nominated |

### Writers Guild of America (WGA)

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1987 | Award for Television: Episodic Comedy | James Berg and Stan Zimmerman for "Blanche and the Younger Man" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Award for Television: Episodic Comedy | Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan for "'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" | Won |
| 1988 | Award for Television: Episodic Comedy | Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman, Mort Nathan, and Barry Fanaro for "A Piece of Cake" | Nominated |
| 1989 | Award for Television: Episodic Comedy | Kathy Speer and Terry Grossman for "Old Friends" | Nominated |
| 1992 | Award for Television: Episodic Comedy | Marc Sotkin for "Ebbtide's Revenge" | Nominated |

### Young Artist Awards

| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1987 | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor, Guest Starring in a Television, Comedy or Drama Series | Billy Jayne | Won |
| 1989 | Best Young Actress Guest Starring in a Drama or Comedy Series | Jenny Lewis | Nominated |
| 1992 | Best Young Actress Guest Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series | Alisan Porter | Nominated |

### Other awards

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| Bambi Awards | 1992 | TV Series International | Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak | Won |
| Online Film & Television Association Television Awards | 2004 | TV Hall of Fame — Television Programs | TV Hall of Fame — Television Programs | Won |
| People's Choice Awards | March 13, 1986 | Favorite New TV Comedy Program | Favorite New TV Comedy Program | Won |
| Retirement Research Foundation Awards | 1989 | Television and Theatrical Film Fiction | Susan Harris, Paul Junger Witt, and Tony Thomas | Won |
| TCA Awards | 1986 | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Nominated |
| TCA Awards | 2021 | Heritage Award | Heritage Award | Won |
| TP de Oro | 1989 | Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera) | Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera) | Won |