Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke, at the age of 98, has become the oldest Daytime Emmy winner in history. He was honored Friday night as a guest performer in a daytime drama series for his role as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives.”
Accepting the award, Van Dyke expressed his disbelief, saying, “I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television. I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it? This tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business. If I had known, I would have lived this long I would’ve taken better care of myself.”
“General Hospital” continued its winning streak, taking home four trophies, including its fourth consecutive honor as best daytime drama. Robert Gossett of “General Hospital” won supporting actor honors for the second straight year, while Thorsten Kaye of “The Bold and the Beautiful” earned his second consecutive lead actor win. Michelle Stafford of “The Young and the Restless” was stunned to win best actress, a trophy she first earned in 2004.
Van Dyke received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage with the help of a cane, accompanied by his wife, Arlene, who held the trophy. He joked, “I brought this lady up because she was also on the show. She played the cop who arrested me.”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” continued its domination of the daytime show category with a fourth consecutive victory, while Courtney Hope of “The Young and the Restless” earned supporting actress honors.
Melody Thomas Scott and her producer-husband, Edward Scott, were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their significant contributions to “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful,” respectively.
In other notable wins, the wife-and-husband team of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos won daytime talk series host for “Live with Kelly and Mark,” while Ina Garten won best culinary series for “Be My Guest” on Food Network.
The 51st annual Daytime Emmys, which honor soap operas, talk shows, and game shows, aired live on CBS from The Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles, just six months after the show’s 50th edition aired in December due to last year’s Hollywood writers and actors strikes.
Dick Van Dyke’s historic win at the age of 98 serves as a testament to his enduring talent and the lasting impact he has made on the entertainment industry throughout his remarkable 80-year career.
Credit: AP