"SNL" alum Tina Fey and "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels at the 60th Annual Emmy Awards show.
Ned Stark (Sean Bean) prepares to lose his head in the "Game of Thrones."
Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight in a scene from the CBS sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer in "Veep."

When it comes to Emmy wins, one serious contender gets the last laugh over NBC's 50-year-old awards powerhouse "Saturday Night Live".

Sheila Nevins, the architect and longtime president of HBO’s documentary films division, leads the all-time Emmy Awards winners list with 31 trophies heading into the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 (CBS, 8 ET/5 PT).

Nevins, 86, the president of HBO Documentary Films for 38 years until March 2018, blows away the gold standard pack that includes "Simpsons" creator James L. Brooks (21 wins), "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels (21) and sound mixer Edward J. Greene (also 21), according to the Television Academy.

Michaels increased his lead as the most-nominated individual in Emmy history on July 15, for a total of 112 (over Nevins' 77 nominations). Following its landmark 50th season, "Saturday Night Live" has the most nominations for a single show, with 348.

Here are key Emmy record categories from the TV academy:

Who has the most Emmy nominations for an individual?

  • 'SNL' creator/producer Lorne Michaels: 112
  • HBO Documentary Films chief Sheila Nevins: 77
  • Camera operator Hector Ramirez: 75
  • Sound mixer Edward J. Greene: 61
  • Producer Jac Venza: 57

What show keeps 'GOT' off the throne for most Emmy nominations?

  • "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ): 348
  • "Game Of Thrones" (HBO, 2011-19): 159
  • "ER" (NBC, 1994-2009): 124
  • "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-93): 117

Who has the most Emmy wins?

  • Sheila Nevins: 31
  • James L. Brooks: 21
  • Lorne Michaels: 21
  • Sound mixer Edward J. Greene: 21

What male actor has the most Emmy wins?

  • Edward Asner: 7
  • Carl Reiner: 6
  • Tim Conway: 6
  • Art Carney: 6

Who has the most Emmy wins for a female actor?

  • Cloris Leachman: 8
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus: 8 (as performer)
  • Mary Tyler Moore: 7
  • Allison Janney: 7

Who has the most Emmy wins by a performer for the same role?

  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep"): 6
  • Candice Bergen ("Murphy Brown"): 5
  • Don Knotts ("The Andy Griffith Show"): 5

Which comedy or drama has the most Emmy wins?

  • "Game Of Thrones" (HBO): 59

Which miniseries has the most Emmy wins?

  • "John Adams" (HBO, 2008): 13

Which TV movie has the most Emmy wins?

  • "Eleanor and Franklin" (ABC, 1976): 11
  • "Behind The Candelabra" (HBO, 2013): 11

Which TV series won the most Emmys for a single season?

  • Shōgun" (FX, 2024): 18

Which TV classics are tied for most best drama Emmy wins?

  • "Hill Street Blues" (NBC, 1981-87): 4
  • "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-94): 4
  • "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006): 4
  • "Mad Men" (AMC, 2007-15): 4
  • "Game Of Thrones" (HBO, 2011-19): 4

Which TV comedies have won the most Emmys?

  • "Frasier" (NBC, 1993-2004): 5
  • "Modern Family" (ABC, 2009-20): 5

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This all-time Emmy winner trumps 'Saturday Night Live' in total award wins

Reporting by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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