The blood-spattered, sex-filled saga about noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne took home the most coveted prize of the night, the best drama Emmy - along with statuettes for writing and directing.

That gives it a total haul over the years of 38 - more than any other narrative series since the first Television Academy prize-giving in 1949, overtaking the haul of 37 won by long-running comedy Frasier.

But it went down to the wire, as Thrones drew a blank in the acting categories, despite being a hot favorite and having multiple nominees, and only set the record with the last prize of the night.

Three of its stars - Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Maisie Williams - dominated the betting in the supporting actress category, but the statuette went to Maggie Smith of Downton Abbey.

Peter Dinklage missed out on a supporting actor trophy, as did co-star Kit Harington, the category’s favorite, with little-heralded Australian Ben Mendelsohn picking up the prize for Bloodline.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story also glittered, picking up a total of nine awards this season, including the prize for best limited series.

“If your show doesn’t have a dragon or a white Bronco in it, go home right now,” host Jimmy Kimmel joked at the start of the three-hour broadcast, a reference to Thrones and the infamous car Simpson was in when he went on a wild ride through Los Angeles before his arrest.

The all-time Emmy list of winners - which includes nonfiction - is topped by NBC comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live, with 45 awards, one of them handed out Sunday to Kate McKinnon for best supporting actress.

It was a night of recognition for old hands in the comedy categories, while the drama awards went to relative newcomers.

In the best actress in a comedy category, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won a fifth consecutive Emmy for her role as the hapless acting president on HBO’s Veep.

“I would like to dedicate this to my father who passed away on Friday, and I’m so glad that he liked Veep because his opinion was the one that really mattered,” she said in an emotional tribute, her voice breaking.

Veep later picked up the Emmy for outstanding comedy series.

The award for best actor in a comedy went for the second year in a row to Jeffrey Tambor for Transparent, who pleaded with producers and directors to give transgender talent a chance in television.

In the tightest race of the night, lead actress in a drama, Tatiana Maslany won for Orphan Black, pipping favourite Robin Wright (House of Cards) and last year’s victor Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder).

Kevin Spacey, who has never won an Emmy, missed out again in for outstanding actor in a drama, which went to Rami Malek, the start of cyberspace security thriller Mr Robot.

Ex-presidential hopeful Jeb Bush made a surprise appearance as a limo driver in a televised opening joke sequence, asking host Jimmy Kimmel what it’s like to be nominated.

Several stars took aim at divisive Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, either in prepared jokes or in acceptance speeches.

“I want everyone to know that after careful consideration, I decided I’m going with Trump - which is why I’m saying we should get rid of all Hispanic and Muslim actors,” said award-winning comedian and writer Aziz Ansari.

The win for FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson for best limited series was the most widely predicted victory of the night, and the show - a scripted drama recounting the American football star’s shocking fall from grace - swept up acting prizes.

Sarah Paulson and Courtney B. Vance were rewarded in the lead acting categories for their acclaimed portrayals of sparring attorneys Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran.

Sterling K. Brown took home a statuette for his supporting actor role, while D.V. DeVincentis was recognised for the show’s writing.

“Playing a real person, you want to get it right for them,” said Paulson.

“And the more I learned about Marcia Clark, who dedicated herself to righting an unconscionable wrong, I’m glad to be able to stand here today in front of everyone and tell you, I’m sorry,” she said, apologizing for having initially misjudged the prosecutor.

In the battle of the networks, perennial leader HBO finished top with 22 Emmys - six on Sunday to add to its 16 from the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony last weekend.

FX, which scored the most nominations in history for a basic cable network, ended the night on 18 in total - twice as many as third-placed Netflix.