Toni Collette accepts the award for best actress in a comedy series for "United States of Tara" at the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California September 20, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Toni Collette is the winner of the Emmy Award for lead actress in a comedy series.

Collette stars in the Showtime series "United States of Tara," written by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody.

The award presented Sunday in Los Angeles was the Australian actress's first nomination in a comedy category.