Each year, the Primetime Emmy Awards present an opportunity for television’s top talent to compete against one another for recognition of excellence. Throughout its 70-year history — the 71st Emmy Awards will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22 — fewer than 1,000 actors have won an Emmy for their craft.

Winning an Emmy is one of the greatest honors television actors can receive, as they advance from “actor” to “Emmy Award-winning actor.” Winning an Emmy can result in more work, better roles, and, in certain cases, even more awards.

The majority of performers who have won an Emmy for their acting have only won a single award. Yet some actors are fortunate enough to have won multiple awards during their — usually notable and extensive — careers. These are the actors with the longest careers.

24/7 Tempo has identified the actors who have won the most Emmys. These entertainers have proven exceptional at their craft, being declared the best many times over.

Some of the actors who have won the most Emmys have won for their performance on numerous hit television programs over the years. Michael J. Fox, for instance, has won Emmys for his work on the series “Family Ties,” “Spin City,” and, most recently, “Rescue Me.” Thanks to his talent, Fox stood out as an actor regardless of the show.

Others — such as David Hyde Pierce who played Niles Crane on “Frasier” — have luck with just one show, winning repeatedly over the years. These are generally critically acclaimed series, and many of those involved in their creation in winning awards often win awards. These are the TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time.

Click here to see the actors who have won the most Emmys.

To determine the actors who have won the most Emmys, 24/7 Tempo reviewed award history for every actor to win an Emmy award since 1949. At least one award won had to be for acting to be considered for this ranking. However, we included Emmy awards each actor won in other categories, such as writing, in their final totals. Awards that did not require nominations, such as Hall of Fame inductions, were noted but not included in the totals that the ranking was based on.