Summary

Thanks to a guest appearance onDays of Our Lives, Dick Van Dyke broke a major record at the Emmy Awards. The 98-year-old actor has been performing since the ’40s and made his network TV debut in 1954. Since then, he has been a prominent actor and comedian as part ofThe Dick Van Dyke Show,Mary Poppins, andNight at the Museum. Even beyond those notable works,Van Dyke appeared in numerous other movies and shows. He recently featured inDays of Our Livesas Timothy Robicheaux, and it led to a major milestone for his career.

Van Dyke’s performance as Robicheaux was so impressive that theDaytime Emmysawarded him a win for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

While this win is impressive, it is also a record-breaking victory.TVLinereports thatVan Dyke just became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner in the awards body’s history. At 98 years old, he matched the age of Norman Lear, who was the previous record-holder. To take the award, Van Dyke defeated his fellow nominees, Ashley Jones (The Bold and the Beautiful), Alley Mills (General Hospital), Guy Pearce (Neighbours), and Linden Ashby (The Young and the Restless). Check out Van Dyke’s reaction below:

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… I’m 98 years old, can you believe it? Thank you so much. This really tops off a lifetime, 80 years in the business. I love you, God bless.

Dick Van Dyke’s Emmy Win Is Only His Latest Accomplishment

Van Dyke’s Long Career Has Been Filled With Successes

While thePrimetime and Daytime Emmy Award winnerscan celebrate their accomplishments, none have had careers quite as extensive and acclaimed as Dick Van Dyke’s. Van Dyke began his career onThe Morning Showas a host and comedian before moving on to professional acting. In 1961, he was granted a show of his own,The Dick Van Dyke Show, which reached 158 episodes. That show also won multiple Emmy Awards, including Van Dyke’s first in 1964.This latest Emmy Award is his sixth win and his ninth nomination.

Van Dyke’s first theatrical role was inBye Bye Birdiein 1963, which helped him win a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Hefeatured inMary Poppinsjust a year later, where he won a Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album. 1968 saw him take a role inChitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the rest of his career has been dominated by sporadic appearances both on TV and in movies.Van Dyke’s career is not yet over either, as he is set to appear inCapture the Flagas well, which is currently in pre-production.

Few actors continue performing through age 98, and his continued on-screen efforts have helped him break an Emmy Awards record. Van Dyke’s long career has been filled with critical successes and accolades. Having won a Grammy, a Tony, and multiple Emmys, Van Dyke is close to winning the coveted EGOT distinction. Undoubtedly, Van Dyke will continue breaking barriers in Hollywood withCapture the Flagand any future projects he might agree to join that could help him reach his EGOT status. For now,Days of Our Liveshas helped him break another record.

Days of Our Lives

Cast

Days of Our Lives is a long-running daytime soap opera set in the Midwestern town of Salem. Premiering on June 22, 2025, it chronicles the complex lives of the Horton and Brady families as they navigate romance, intrigue, and the challenges posed by deceitful adversaries and intricate family legacies.