Dick Van Dyke has made history as the oldest actor to win a Daytime Emmy for his guest role on “Days of Our Lives.”
The 98-year-old actor was honored on June 7 at the 51st annual award show for his role as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on the daytime drama series, making him the oldest Daytime Emmy winner in history. The actor was accompanied by his wife, Arlene Silver.
“I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” Mr. Van Dyke said. “I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it? This really 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.”
“Days of Our Lives” is a daytime soap opera aired on NBC from 1965 to 2022 before moving to the Peacock streaming service.
Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner of “Entertainment Tonight” hosted the awards ceremony, which aired live from The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony honored soap operas, talk shows, and game shows.
Award presenters included Kelly Clarkson of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Steve Burton of “General Hospital,” Star Jones of “Divorce Court,” and Danielle Pinnock of “Ghosts,” among others.
Mr. Van Dyke, who used a cane when making his way onto the stage, received a standing ovation for his historic win. His wife held the trophy as he spoke to attendees.
“I brought this lady up on stage because she was also on the show,” he said. “She played the cop who arrested me.”
Mr. Van Dyke beat out last year’s winner Alley Mills of “General Hospital,” Australian actor Guy Pearce of Amazon Freevee’s “Neighbours,” Linden Ashby of “The Young and the Restless,” and Ashley Jones of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Other Honors
The daytime soap “General Hospital” won four trophies, including its fourth consecutive honor as the best daytime drama, marking the second time in the show’s 61-year history to win four daytime drama awards in a row.Robert Gossett of “General Hospital” received supporting actor honors for the second year in a row for his part as Marshall Afford. The 70-year-old actor is a first cousin to the late Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., 87, who died earlier this year from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The long-running show also won the directing and writing categories.
Thorsten Kaye, 58, of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” earned his second straight lead actor win for playing Ridge Forrester.
“I got to be very honest. I don’t like award shows. I didn’t like award shows until tonight,” Mr. Kaye said.
“The other thing that doesn’t make sense is that anyone can do this alone. You need a great boss who sees you and hears you,” he continued.
“You need a cast that tolerates you. You need a whole village of people that have agreed that they’re not going to let you drown. I’ve [had] all of that,” he added.
Michelle Stafford, 58, of “The Young and the Restless” appeared stunned when her name was announced as the winner of best actress for her role as Phyllis Summers. It was her third time winning the honor for the role she originated in 1994.
“I am honored to be an actor. It is the greatest gig. It is a privilege,” Ms. Stafford said. “I’m honored to entertain people.”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” dominated the daytime talk show category with its fourth consecutive victory. The 42-year-old singer moved her show from Los Angeles to New York last year.
“The move has been so great, not just for me and my family but for our whole show,” Ms. Clarkson said. “Thank you for thinking of mental health and not just a product.”
Melody Thomas Scott, who has played Nikki Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for 45 years, and her producer-husband, Edward Scott, were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Mr. Scott worked on “Y&R” for years before moving to his current job on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
“I can’t tell you how encouraging a thing like this is,” said Ms. Thomas Scott, who made her acting debut at age 8 in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie.”
Ina Garten won the award for best culinary series for “Be My Guest,” which airs on Food Network.
The Daytime Emmy Awards show returned to its usual place on the calendar just six months after its 50th edition aired in December, following a delay caused by last year’s Hollywood writers and actors strikes.
