David Attenborough, 99, Breaks Record as Oldest Daytime Emmy Winner

Paul Telfer of Days of Our Lives and Nancy Lee Grahn of General Hospital won lead acting honors at the Daytime Emmys recently, with ABC’s General Hospital claiming six trophies in the major categories, including drama series, Beth Harris reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The British naturalist’s career as a writer, host, and narrator spans eight decades. (Photo: Netflix) 

But Sir David Attenborough broke Dick Van Dyke’s record as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner, taking the trophy for daytime personality (non-daily) as host of Netflix’s Secret Lives of Orangutans. 

Attenborough, who is 99, was not on hand.

The British naturalist’s career as a writer, host, and narrator spans eight decades.

Van Dyke was 98 when he won as guest performer in a daytime drama series for Days of Our Lives in 2024.

Telfer, a 45-year-old native of Scotland, plays Xander Kiriakis on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives, which he first joined in 2015. “My mom always loved soaps and she loved villains,” he said.

“She’s been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this on a soap opera playing the villain is really amazing. Thanks, Mom.”