| | 1971: Flip Wilson, The Flip Wilson Show |
| | 1972: No award |
| | 1973: Redd Foxx, Sanford and Son |
| | 1974: Jack Klugman, The Odd Couple |
| | 1975: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1976: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1977: Henry Winkler, Happy Days |
| | 1978: Ron Howard, Happy Days; Henry Winkler, Happy Days |
| | 1979: Robin Williams, Mork and Mindy |
| | 1980: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1981: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1982: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1983: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H |
| | 1984: John Ritter, Three's Company |
| | 1985: Bill Cosby, The Cosby Show |
| | 1986: Bill Cosby, The Cosby Show |
| | 1987: Bruce Willis, Moonlighting |
| | 1988: Dabney Coleman, The "Slap" Maxwell Story |
| | 1989: Michael J. Fox, Family Ties; Judd Hirsch, Dear John; Richard Mulligan, Empty Nest |
| | 1990: Ted Danson, Cheers |
| | 1991: Ted Danson, Cheers |
| | 1992: Burt Reynolds, Evening Shade |
| | 1993: John Goodman, Roseanne |
| | 1994: Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld |
| | 1995: Tim Allen, Home Improvement |
| | 1996: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier |
| | 1997: John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun |
| | 1998: Michael J. Fox, Spin City |
| | 1999: Michael J. Fox, Spin City |
| | 2000: Michael J. Fox, Spin City |
| | 2001: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier |
| | 2002: Charlie Sheen, Spin City |
| | 2003: Tony Shalhoub, Monk |
| | 2004: Ricky Gervais, The Office |
| | 2005: Jason Bateman, Arrested Development |
| | 2006: Steve Carell, The Office |
| | 2007: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock |