Dick Van Dyke becomes oldest Daytime Emmys winner in history at 98 for 'Days of Our Lives'

Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Dick Van Dyke made Daytime Emmys history as the oldest winner ever.

At 98, the legendary actor and comedian won a statue Friday night for his guest performance in the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." The star's wife Arlene Silver was on stage to accept the award, but that wasn't the only thing he brought with him to accept the historic statue for his story arc last September on the Peacock program.

“I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” Van Dyke joked, while accepting the award. “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!”

Van Dyke also made Daytime Emmys history before his win for outstanding guest performer in a drama series as the oldest person to garner a nomination at the ceremony.

Dick Van Dyke, posing at the Daytime Emmys, after snagging a statue and cementing himself in history books at the ceremony as the oldest winner ever.
Dick Van Dyke, posing at the Daytime Emmys, after snagging a statue and cementing himself in history books at the ceremony as the oldest winner ever.

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'I'm 98 years old, can you believe it?'

“I’m 98 years old, can you believe it? This tops a lifetime of 80 years in the business. I love you, God bless,” Van Dyke continued.

During his appearances on "Days," he played a man with amnesia, telling viewers that he had a “wonderful time” on the program as his wife looked on. Van Dyke rose to fame in the 1960s as the star of "Bye, Bye Birdie" and also took the helm of his own CBS sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Now, he's known as one of Hollywood's longest working actors and was honored with his own CBS special "Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic" in December 2023.

The category’s other nominees featured Ashley Jones as Dr. Bridget Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” Linden Ashby as Cameron Kirsten on “The Young and the Restless,” Guy Pearce as Mike Young on “Neighbours” and Alley Mills as Heather Webber on “General Hospital.

Albert Alarr, 'Days of Our Lives' executive producer, ousted after misconduct allegations, reports say

This year's Daytime Emmy awards were hosted by Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner of "Entertainment Tonight" and held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dick Van Dyke makes history as oldest Daytime Emmys winner