At 98 years old, Dick Van Dyke has made history by becoming the oldest person to win a Daytime Emmy Award.
At the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards, which aired on Friday, June 7, Dick Van Dyke won the award for Best Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series for his portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux, an amnesiac character, on “Days of Our Lives.”
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Van Dyke’s appearance on the long-running soap opera, which aired in September 2023, marked his debut on the show with a four-episode storyline.
“I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” Van Dyke joked while accepting the award alongside his wife, Arlene Silver.
“I’m the oldest nominee in history. I can’t believe it. I was playing old men all my life. If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!”
“I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it,” he continued. “This tops a lifetime of 80 years in the business. I love you, God bless.”
Dick Van Dyke’s Emmy-winning role on “Days of Our Lives” stemmed from his friendship with Drake Hogestyn, who plays John Black on the show. Van Dyke shared with Entertainment Tonight that he and Hogestyn frequent the same gym, where they had a conversation that led to Hogestyn suggesting Van Dyke should come on the show. Following this discussion, Van Dyke appeared in the episodes airing on September 1, 4, 8, and 14. Notably, his wife, Arlene Silver, also made an appearance in the September 1 episode, according to Variety.
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Competing alongside Van Dyke in the category were notable nominees Linden Ashby for “The Young and the Restless,” Ashley Jones for “The Bold and the Beautiful,” Alley Mills for “General Hospital,” and Guy Pearce for “Neighbours.”
This award adds to Van Dyke’s remarkable career, which has spanned 80 years across theater, live performances, music, television, and film.
He has previously won four Primetime Emmy Awards, including three for his legendary “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the 1960s. Over the years, Van Dyke has earned six Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony.