Heather Tom is heading into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmys with a chance to rewrite the acting record book.
A win for her performance as Katie Logan on “The Bold and the Beautiful” would give Tom her seventh acting trophy, moving her ahead of “One Life to Live” star Erika Slezak for the most Daytime Emmy acting wins by an actress. The two performers currently share the record with six victories apiece.
Tom is nominated for outstanding lead actress in a daytime drama, her first nomination in that category since winning in 2020. She also earned a second nomination as a member of “The Bold and the Beautiful” writing staff, which is competing for outstanding writing team for a daytime drama series.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Tom told Variety of the double recognition. Describing daytime as a small community filled with people she has known for much of her life, she added, “It’s always nice to be recognized and to go and hang, and two in one night seems insane!”
A Daytime Emmy Run Spanning Three Acting Categories
Tom’s six acting wins began with “The Young and the Restless.” She won outstanding younger actress in a drama series in 1993 and again in 1999.
Her other four victories came for “The Bold and the Beautiful”: supporting actress in 2011, followed by lead actress wins in 2012, 2013 and 2020. She remains the only performer to have won Daytime Emmys across the younger, supporting and lead acting classifications.
Slezak’s six awards all came in the lead actress category for “One Life to Live,” with wins in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2005. That means Slezak will retain the record for the most acting victories in a single category, regardless of whether Tom moves ahead in total acting wins.
Tom, however, does not view the moment as a rivalry. Calling Slezak “iconic,” she said it was remarkable to be discussed alongside someone she had admired, worked with and watched bring complete commitment to her performances.
Slezak also helped establish one of Tom’s favorite awards traditions. Along with fellow former winner Susan Flannery, she created an annual lunch for the lead actress nominees, organized by the previous year’s winner.
“My favorite thing to do is get together with all these amazing ladies and just have a good hang,” Tom said. “We let our hair down and dish a little bit and run up the bill for whomever’s paying.”
Tom Expands Her Role Behind the Camera
The writing nomination reflects another side of Tom’s work on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” She credited executive producer and head writer Brad Bell with supporting her interest in branching out after nearly 37 years in daytime.
According to Tom, Bell first allowed her to prepare a spec script after learning that she wanted to write for the series. That led to opportunities to work on several scripts. Tom said she also writes extensively outside the show and has multiple projects she is currently pitching.
“He expects a lot from the people who work for him in all capacities,” she said. “And so I think as long as I deliver, he’ll give me the opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
If she wins Friday, Tom said Bell is the person she “absolutely 100%” needs to thank, followed by her husband.
“Bold and the Beautiful” Looks Back — and Forward
Tom’s nominations arrive as “The Bold and the Beautiful” marks its 40th season. The series recently launched an app containing its entire episodic catalog, and Tom believes easier access is helping younger viewers discover the show while bringing previous viewers back.
She has also been revisiting earlier episodes because Katie’s current storyline draws inspiration from past plots. Tom said it is difficult to comprehend that she has now been on the series for 20 years.
Tom believes Bell is emphasizing elements long associated with the show, including family, fashion, humor and high melodrama. She pointed to its two central families and competing fashion houses as part of that approach.
Away from the series, Tom is developing microdramas in several formats. Her projects include stories inspired by “Snow White,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Jack and the Beanstalk,” as well as a vampire-and-werewolf concept drawing on the history and lore surrounding both creatures.
ShowBiz Take
Tom’s possible seventh acting win carries significance beyond a single awards-night result. Her record already spans three acting classifications, while this year’s writing nomination shows her work expanding behind the camera. That combination makes Friday’s ceremony both a potential historic milestone and a snapshot of how her role in daytime has evolved.
Her admiration for Slezak also adds perspective to the record chase. Tom could take the lead in total acting victories while Slezak’s six lead actress wins remain unmatched within one category.
What Happens Next?
The 53rd Daytime Emmys will take place Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. PT at Hollywood’s Palladium in Los Angeles. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences-produced ceremony will be available to watch on YouTube and will not have a host.
“The Young and the Restless” leads all programs with 18 nominations, followed by newcomer “Beyond the Gates” with 15. “General Hospital” star Genie Francis is set to receive the lifetime achievement award.