By Lisa Richwine and Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles

Australian Sarah Snook has won an Emmy award for best actress in a drama series for her role in media dynasty drama Succession, which picked up six gongs on the night.

Succession earned the prestigious best drama trophy while The Bear dominated comedy honours as Hollywood handed out the annual awards, the top accolades for television.

Snook’s co-stars Kieran Culkin and Matthew Macfadyen also won acting trophies for their roles as part of the wealthy but miserable Roy family who are in a cutthroat battle for control of a global business empire.

Succession was named best drama series for the third time.

Snook, a first-time winner, recognised the show’s creator Jesse Armstrong, her co-stars and her parents as she accepted her award.

“Thank you for having a dress-up box when I was a kid. I think this is where it gets you,” she said on Monday.

Culkin gave an emotional speech as he accepted his first Emmy, for lead drama actor, breaking into tears as he thanked his mother for a great childhood. He then told his wife he wanted more kids.

“You said maybe, if I win!” he said to his wife, Jazz Charton, who was seated in the audience.

The Bear, the story of a fine-dining chef trying to turn around his family’s Chicago sandwich shop, also landed six awards, including best comedy series.

Star Jeremy Allen White was named best actor in a comedy, and his co-stars Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach won supporting actress and actor, for the first season of the show.

“I am so proud, so full of gratitude, to be standing in front of you all,” said White, who plays chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. “I love the show so much.”

Road rage drama Beef won best limited series, one of its five awards for the night, and stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong claimed acting trophies. RuPaul’s Drag Race took out best reality competition series.

The top TV honours were broadcast live on the Fox network. The show was postponed from September because of Hollywood labour disputes last year.

Several Black actors won awards at the ceremony, which coincided with the US holiday commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“Everyone having fun at the chocolate Emmys tonight? We are killing it tonight!” said host and former “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson.

Musician Elton John was elevated to the rare status of EGOT when a livestream of a concert from his farewell tour won an Emmy award.

EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – and only 19 people in history have won all four honours during their career.

John earned his Emmy for Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which streamed on Disney+ in November 2022. The singer was not at the ceremony because he recently had knee surgery, producers of the special said.

“I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight,” John said in a statement.

“The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world.”

Organisers used this year’s milestone – the 75th Emmys – to honour classic television shows with cast reunions and other moments.

Anderson opened the show with a choir singing theme songs from Good Times and The Facts of Life. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker played the drum solo from In the Air Tonight, a song that aired during a pivotal moment in 1980s hitMiami Vice.”

Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and other stars of Cheers gathered around a recreation of the iconic bar set, and Grey’s Anatomy actors Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo spoke from a hospital room set up on stage.

The show ended with an excerpt from King’s 1963 I Have a Dream speech.