Dick Van Dyke made history at the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards.
The 98-year-old actor became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner when he took home the prize for best guest performer in a daytime drama series for starring as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.
I don’t believe this,
Van Dyke expressed humorously as he and his wife, Arlene Silver, accepted the award. I feel like a spy from nighttime television. I brought this lady up because she, by trouble and strife, is the love of my life, but because she was in the show — she played the cop who arrested me.
Continuing with his comedic charm, Van Dyke joked, She looks better than she did as that cop and I’m the oldest nominee in history.
The crowd responded with laughter as he added, If I had known I was going to live this long I would’ve taken better care of myself. You guys are a real family and just took me in and treated me so nicely.
Noting his extensive career, he remarked on his 80 years in the business, which started with him doing a show for fun with a friend and having his career snowball into this.
As he exited the stage, he quipped again about his age: I’m 98 years old, can you believe it?
The Recognition
The other nominees included The Young and the Restless’s Linden Ashby, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Ashley Jones, General Hospital’s Alley Mills and Neighbours’ Guy Pearce.
A Unique Honor
Days before the awards show, Van Dyke shared an exclusive statement explaining why this recognition has been unique for him. This nomination is very exciting; after all, it took me 75 years and my pal Drake Hogestyn to get on a soap opera!
referencing how he campaigned for a part in Days of Our Lives.
This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting – comedy and musicals are my specialty after all. I’m so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community.
A Storied Career
Over his legendary career, Van Dyke has received five Primetime Emmy awards for The Dick Van Dyke Show. His career began in radio and Broadway before landing on Carl Reiner’s show which ran from 1961 to 1966.
An Everlasting Legacy
Shooting The Dick Van Dyke Show led to roles in films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. More recently, he’s appeared in Night in the Museum, Mary Poppins Returns, and even performed on The Masked Singer.
The Key to Longevity
The legendary performer credited genes and having a young wife half his age. He also emphasized staying active, saying, I wrote a book called Keep Moving. I still go to the gym three days a week and work out.
The entertainer noted: I advise everybody to do that because that’s what ages people – it’s just stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and their lungs. Exercise is the answer.
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