Fast-paced spy series '24' finally broke its run of bad luck at the 58th annual Emmy Awards ceremony on Sunday (27.08.06).
Kiefer Sutherland won best actor - his first ever Emmy - for his role in '24'.
The real-time drama was the big series winner of the night picking up five awards; three on Sunday and two at last week's Creative Emmys.
He described his time on the show - which also won best dramatic series and best dramatic series director - as "nothing short of exceptional".
Both '24' and Sutherland were nominated for five years in a row before finally ending their losing streak this year.
The 39-year-old revealed he would be having a celebratory dinner with his father Donald Sutherland, who picked up an Emmy in 1995 for 'Citizen X'.
Mariska Hargitay was another first-time winner - earning the best leading actress award for her role in drama 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'.
Holding up her statuette, she said: "When I named my son August, I had no idea that the month would end like this!"
'The New Adventures of Old Christine' star Julia Louis-Dreyfus collected her second Emmy, winning leading actress in a comedy series.
Her first Emmy was for a supporting role on 'Seinfield'. She is the only star to break the so-called 'Seinfield curse' and enjoy success with another show.
Collecting her award, Louis-Dreyfus said: "I'm not somebody who really believes in curses. But curse this baby!"
'The Office' - starring Steve Carell and based on a British sitcom by comedian Ricky Gervais - was named best comedy series.
'Elizabeth I' - a series about the late British monarch - picked up best mini-series and its leading lady, Helen Mirren, was named best actress in a mini-series.
Alan Alda picked up the sixth Emmy of his career - best supporting actor in a dramatic series for his role in 'The West Wing'.
2006 Emmy Awards main winners:
Drama Series: 24
Comedy Series: The Office
Miniseries: Elizabeth I
Made-for-TV Movie: The Girl in the Cafe
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Actor, Drama Series: Kiefer Sutherland, 24
Actress, Drama Series: Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Alan Alda, The West Wing
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Blythe Danner, Huff
Actor, Comedy Series: Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Megan Mullally, Will & Grace
Actor, Miniseries or a Movie: Andre Braugher, Thief
Actress, Miniseries or a Movie: Helen Mirren, Elizabeth I
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or a Movie: Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth I
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or a Movie: Kelly Macdonald, The Girl in the Cafe
(C) BANG Media International
