Sir David Attenborough, 99, breaks record for oldest Daytime Emmy winner

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Sir David Attenborough broke Dick Van Dyke’s record for oldest Daytime Emmy winner on Friday, taking home the trophy for daytime, non-daily personality as host of Netflix’s “Secret Lives of Orangutans.”

Attenborough, aged 99, was not present. The Briton’s career as a writer, broadcaster and narrator spans eight decades.

Van Dyke was 98 when he won as a guest performer in a daytime drama series for “Days of Our Lives” in 2024. He is the oldest actor to win a Daytime Emmy.

Jonathan Jackson of “General Hospital” and first-time contestant Susan Walters of “The Young and the Restless” won acting honors.

Jackson accepted the trophy for playing Lucky Spencer, a role he originated in 1993 and has played on and off ever since.

The ABC show also won trophies for Alley Mills as a guest performer on a daytime drama and for its writing team.

This was Mills’ second career win for playing Heather Webber. The 74-year-old, who won for the first time in 2023, is best known as the mom from “The Wonder Years.”

“We’re living in really dark times right now. Everything is crazy,” Mills told the audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. “We just have to keep our spirits up.”

Walters plays Diane Jenkins on CBS’ “Y”&R”, ​​in which she appeared in three different appearances.

“I’m so happy I won so I can thank my husband of 40 years,” she said, singling out Linden Ashby, who appeared on the same show.

“The Young and the Restless” garnered 19 nominations for the 52nd edition of the annual competition. It’s just one of three shows nominated for best daytime drama series, along with “General Hospital” and “Days of Our Lives.”