Mad Men honoured at Emmy Awards

The darkly intimate 1960s-era drama Mad Men and the comedy romp Modern Family were the big winners at the Emmy Awards as American life past and present proved a winning formula.

"To our fans, we are so grateful, we are so thrilled that families are sitting down together to watch a television show, and we're so happy that you have let us into your families," said Steven Levitan, Modern Family executive producer.

The best comedy series award was the first for the sitcom, which also captured an acting award for Eric Stonestreet and a best writing trophy.

The best drama series award for Mad Men was its third consecutive one. Series creator Matthew Weiner seemed to take the night in stride.

"I knew one day I would run somewhere and win a trophy," Weiner joked earlier in the Los Angeles ceremony when he dashed to the stage to claim the Emmy for best drama series writing with Erin Levy.

Glee, the musical-comedy that started the night as the most-nominated series, earned an acting trophy for Jane Lynch and a directing award for creator Ryan Murphy.

Bryan Cranston's portrayal of a meth dealer in Breaking Bad and Kyra Sedgwick's role as a brassy deputy police chief in The Closer earned the pair top drama series acting awards.

Cranston's honour was his third trophy for playing a high school chemistry teacher gone wrong, while his co-star, Aaron Paul, earned his first award as best supporting actor for playing his partner-in-crime.

Archie Panjabi of The Good Wife was honoured as best supporting actress in a drama for her part as a law-firm's in-house private investigator, as Emmy voters spread the riches widely among veterans and fresh faces.

Edie Falco of Nurse Jackie and Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory were honoured for their comedy series lead roles.

In pictures: The Emmy Awards