Dick Van Dyke Makes History as Oldest Daytime Emmy Winner at 98

Dick Van Dyke, the legendary actor, made history at the Daytime Emmy Awards by winning at the age of 98. He received the award for his guest performance as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux in Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives,” making him the oldest-ever Daytime Emmy winner. Van Dyke, clearly surprised and grateful, stated, “I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television. 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.”

The ABC show “General Hospital” also had a successful night, winning four awards, including Best Daytime Drama for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement marked the second time in the show’s 61-year history that it had won four consecutive trophies in this category. Robert Gossett, who portrays Marshall Ashford on “General Hospital,” won the Supporting Actor award for the second year in a row. Gossett, the first cousin of the late Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

Thorsten Kaye, known for his role as Ridge Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” won the Lead Actor award for the second consecutive year. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged that he had not been a fan of award shows until that night. He emphasized the importance of having a supportive team and a strong cast to succeed in the industry.

Michelle Stafford, who plays Phyllis Summers on “The Young and the Restless,” won Best Actress, a trophy she had previously earned in 2004. Clearly stunned by her win, Stafford expressed her honor at being an actor and entertaining people.

Dick Van Dyke received a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage with his wife, Arlene, who held the trophy. Van Dyke humorously mentioned that his wife had also appeared on the show as the cop who arrested his character. This was Van Dyke’s fifth Emmy win, with his previous victories coming from his classic comedy series “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the 1960s.

“The Kelly Clarkson Show” continued its winning streak in the Daytime Show category, securing its fourth consecutive victory. Kelly Clarkson, who recently moved her show from Los Angeles to New York, expressed her gratitude for the positive impact the move had on her and her team. She thanked NBC for considering mental health and not just focusing on the product.

Courtney Hope, known for her role as Sally Spectra on “The Young and the Restless,” won the Supporting Actress award. Hope originated the role on “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 2017 before transitioning to her current show in 2020.

Melody Thomas Scott, who has portrayed Nikki Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for 45 years, and her producer-husband, Edward Scott, received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Thomas Scott, who made her acting debut at the age of 8 in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie,” jokingly expressed her appreciation for the encouraging recognition. Edward Scott promised to continue amazing the audience with his work.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, the wife-and-husband duo, won the Daytime Talk Series Host award for their show “Live with Kelly and Mark.” Ina Garten’s “Be My Guest” on Food Network was recognized as the Best Culinary Series.

The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards took place at The Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The ceremony, honoring soap operas, talk shows, and game shows, aired live on CBS. This year’s awards returned to their regular schedule after being postponed due to the Hollywood writers and actors strikes the previous year.

Overall, the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards celebrated the outstanding talent and achievements in daytime television. From Dick Van Dyke’s historic win to the success of shows like “General Hospital” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the event showcased the dedication and creativity of those involved in the industry. The recognition of veteran actors like Melody Thomas Scott and the appreciation for supportive teams highlighted the collaborative nature of creating quality daytime programming.