Sir David Attenborough Becomes New Oldest Daytime Emmys Winner Ever at 99, Beating Previous Record Holder Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke‘s title as the oldest recipient of a Daytime Emmy was short-lived. This year’s ceremony saw the remarkable British broadcaster, writer, and naturalist Sir David Attenborough making headlines by winning the 2024 Daytime Emmy award for outstanding daytime personality – Non-Daily — for Netflix’s “Secret Lives of Orangutans” at the age of 99. He is set to celebrate his 100th birthday next May.

Attenborough’s achievement makes him just a fraction older than Van Dyke, who set the previous record last year at the age of 98 when he won the Daytime Emmy for guest performer in a daytime drama series for his role in Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives.”

Attenborough’s victory was part of a trio of awards for Netflix’s “Secret Lives of Orangutans,” which also garnered accolades for its directing team in the single-camera daytime non-fiction program category.

In winning, Attenborough triumphed over competitors including Brad Bestelink for “Living with Leopards” (Netflix); Andi Sweeney Blanco, Courtney Dober, Rob North & Kirin Stone for “The Fixers” (BYUtv); Anthony Mackie with “Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast” (National Geographic); and Martha Stewart for “Martha Gardens” (Roku).

Regarded as one of the most distinguished natural science broadcasters, Attenborough kicked off his illustrious career with “Zoo Quest” in 1954. His narration credits in more recent projects feature esteemed series such as “Planet Earth,” its sequels, “Blue Planet,” its follow-ups, “The Green Planet,” “Wild Isles,” “Dinosaurs: The Final Day With David Attenborough,” “Life In Colour,” “Frozen Planet,” and several others.

The synopsis for “Secret Lives of Orangutans” reads: “Orangutans are not just among our closest relatives; they may be the most relatable of all great apes. Narrated by David Attenborough, this documentary follows an extraordinary group of orangutans in the untouched jungles of Sumatra, centering on 8-year-old Eden as she faces the most formidable challenge of her young life.”

The 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were held on Friday, October 17, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.