| | 1980-1981: Judd Hirsch, Taxi (ABC) |
| | 1981-1982: Alan Alda, M*A*S*H (CBS) |
| | 1982-1983: Judd Hirsch, Taxi (NBC) |
| | 1983-1984: John Ritter, Three's Company (ABC) |
| | 1984-1985: Robert Guillaume, Benson (ABC) |
| | 1985-1986: Michael J. Fox, Family Ties (NBC) |
| | 1986-1987: Michael J. Fox, Family Ties (NBC) |
| | 1987-1988: Michael J. Fox, Family Ties (NBC) |
| | 1988-1989: Richard Mulligan, Empty Nest (NBC) |
| | 1989-1990: Ted Danson, Cheers (NBC) |
| | 1990-1991: Burt Reynolds, Evening Shade (CBS) |
| | 1991-1992: Craig T. Nelson, Coach (ABC) |
| | 1992-1993: Ted Danson, Cheers (NBC) |
| | 1993-1994: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier (NBC) |
| | 1994-1995: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier (NBC) |
| | 1995-1996: John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun (NBC) |
| | 1996-1997: John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun (NBC) |
| | 1997-1998: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier (NBC) |
| | 1998-1999: John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun (NBC) |
| | 1999-2000: Michael J. Fox, Spin City (ABC) |
| | 2000-2001: Eric McCormack, Will & Grace (NBC) |
| | 2001-2002: Ray Romano, Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) |
| | 2002-2003: Tony Shalhoub, Monk (USA) |
| | 2003-2004: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier (NBC) |
| | 2004-2005: Tony Shalhoub, Monk (USA) |
| | 2005-2006: Tony Shalhoub, Monk (USA) |