Sonya Eddy was posthumously honoured with an Emmy Award on Friday (15.12.23).
The actress passed away in December 2022 aged 55 after developing an infection following surgery, and at the Daytime Emmy Awards, she was named the winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for her work as Epiphany Johnson in ‘General Hospital’, a role she had played since 2006.
Sonya’s friend and producing partner Tyler Ford accepted the prize.
He said: “Well, accepting these flowers is bittersweet. But I know that Sonya would only relish in the sweet.”
He went on to thank the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, for “being a faithful friend” and the cast and crew for “embracing her for 16 years.”
He added: “I want to thank the Academy for acknowledging her contribution and craft. Sonya never aspired to be an actor. And while her talent was undeniable, I’m sure that she was more overjoyed for being remembered for how she made people feel onscreen and off.”
Shortly after Sonya’s win was announced, the soap paid tribute on their social media account.
A post shared to X read: “Please help us celebrate the late @SonyaEddy on her posthumous @DaytimeEmmys win for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress. We miss her every single day. #DaytimeEmmys (sic)”
It was a successful night for the ABC series because it was also named Outstanding Daytime Drama Series ahead of ‘The Bay’, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’, as well as scooping a win in the Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, Eden McCoy, who plays Josslyn Jacks, scooped the Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series accolade, and Alley Mills was recognised in the Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category for her role as Heather Webber.
Elsewhere at the Los Angeles ceremony, Kelly Clarkson scooped two prizes for her talk show, taking home the trophies for Daytime Talk Series Host and Daytime Talk Series.
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ stars Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and Thorsten Kaye took home the Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series accolades
‘All My Children’ actress Susan Lucci received a Lifetime Achievement Award and the 76-year-old star reflected on how “lucky” she has been over the years.
She said: “How lucky am I to dream my dreams of becoming an actress and grow up and have my dreams come true? There were obstacles and there were roadblocks — they were wannabe obstacles and roadblocks — but tonight’s a night to celebrate.”
And she hailed her ‘All My Children’ co-stars as some of the “most accomplished and talented actors in NY.”
She added: “I am so proud to be part of this community, this community of storytellers, in such a collaborative genre.
“We get to do what we love to do, we get to entertain and tell stories, and in that, we illuminate our human condition … and on our best days, even make a little magic.”
Susan ended her speech with a tribute to her late husband Helmut Huber, who died in March 2022 aged 84, and their son Andreas.
She said: “The icing on the cake tonight is that my son Andreas is with me. It means so much to me to have you here with me.
“I feel your dad’s presence here with us tonight too. I thank my husband Helmet Huber because he has everything to do with me standing up here tonight and receiving this incredible award.”
Daytime Emmy Awards 2023 winners list:
Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress:
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood as Steffy Forrester, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (CBS)
Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor:
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (CBS)
Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress:
The late Sonya Eddy as Epiphany Johnson, ‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Supporting Performance In a Daytime Drama Series: Actor:
Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford, ‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Daytime Talk Series:
‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ (Syndicated)
Daytime Drama Series:
‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Entertainment News Series:
‘Entertainment Tonight’ (Syndicated)
Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series:
‘The Young and the Restless’ (CBS)
Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series:
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks, ‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series:
‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series:
Alley Mills as Heather Webber, ‘General Hospital’ (ABC)
Daytime Talk Series Host:
Kelly Clarkson, ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ (Syndicated)
