Cheers to an illustrious Daytime duo! Pillars of Daytime television, actress Melody Thomas Scott and her husband, producer Edward J. Scott, were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles on June 7. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding long-term contributions to Daytime television — including past awardees like Susan Lucci and John Aniston — to which the Scotts easily fit the bill. Since 1979, Melody has famously starred in the role of Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless — a role that over the past 45 years, has garnered her a wealth of accolades including four Soap Opera Update Awards for outstanding lead actress. Throughout his almost 50-year career, Edward has amassed six Daytime Emmys as a producer — having served as the executive producer on The Young and the Restless for decades and now as a supervising producer for The Bold and the Beautiful. The award was presented by The Young and the Restless stars Eric Braeden and Lauralee Bell, who paid tribute to the couple’s long history on the long-running soap. While Bell remarked on how Edward had “understood the assignment” and “created the successful heartbeat between the cast and crew,” Braden gave props to his onscreen love interest, sharing how he felt “very grateful to have had Melody as a scene partner and leading lady, over four damn decades now.” After their introduction, a video montage of the couple’s closest friends and costars rolled, followed by personalized messages from both the actors who play Melody’s onscreen children, Joshua Morrow and Amelia Heinle, and the duo’s real life children, Jennifer, Alexandra and Elizabeth. Taking the stage, Edward was first to make his acceptance speech. “Wow, unbelievable. I can’t believe I’m standing up here from all you terrific, talented people,” he began. “I’m just really lucky, and I’m proud to be here standing alongside the fabulous Melody Thomas Scott, my wife and my partner for nearly 40 years together. We’re celebrating along with our three beautiful daughters, Jennifer, Alex, Elizabeth, their spouses and our five amazing, amazing grandkids.” After expressing his gratitude for the lifetime achievement award, Edward made a promise to do “my very best to continue to amaze you, to build community, … and most importantly, to acknowledge and support each other’s work. And we do work, don’t we?” He continued to thank The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful creators, Bill and Lee Phillip Bell and executive producer, Brad Bell, for trusting him “with this creative vision everyday.” Before giving the floor to his wife, Edward also thanked the entire cast and crew. In her own acceptance speech, Melody thanked the Television Academy for recognizing her for the award. She smiled, “I can’t tell you how encouraging a thing like this is. Closer to home, I want to thank Edward and my beautiful family, who are here tonight. We are so blessed.” “Lot of people have been talking about family tonight on this stage and growing up, this Hollywood kid was family challenged,” she continued while growing emotional. “When I was cast on Y&R 45 years ago, I walked onto stage 41 at TV city, and knew I was finally home with the family that had been waiting for me all along.” Melody then acknowledged the network, casting directors, her costars and the loved ones who had supported her throughout her journey before thanking the “loyal fans” for their constant “support and encouragement.” “There would be no Y&R without you,” she gushed. “Daytime television is hard work. We know this, and I salute all of you here tonight for your contributions to our industry. Edward and I are eager to do our part to carry on the proud tradition of the great American soap opera!” The couple married in 1985, and together they share three daughters and five grandchildren. “With a combined 93 years of contributions to our community, they are true institutions in the world of Daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, president and CEO of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, in a statement posted to the Emmys website. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Daytime Emmy Awards airs live on Friday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.
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