Hollywood’s glitzy lights shone a little brighter last Friday night as the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards unfolded at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. But amidst the usual glamour, heartfelt speeches, and the parade of television’s most familiar faces, one moment stood out above all: Sir David Attenborough, at the remarkable age of 99, broke records to become the oldest winner in Daytime Emmy history. The famed broadcaster and naturalist took home the award for outstanding daytime personality (non-daily) for his captivating work on Netflix’s ‘Secret Lives of Orangutans,’ surpassing the previous record set by Dick Van Dyke, who won at age 98 just last year.
Attenborough’s achievement wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a celebration of a career that has spanned more than seven decades, bringing the marvels of the natural world into living rooms across the globe. According to USA TODAY, Attenborough’s win in the outstanding daytime personality (non-daily) category was for his role as host and narrator of ‘Secret Lives of Orangutans,’ a documentary that provides an intimate look at orangutans in the jungles of Sumatra, Indonesia. The film’s success didn’t end there; it also picked up two other Emmys for outstanding music direction and composition, and for the outstanding directing team of a single-camera daytime non-fiction program, as reported by TV Insider.
Despite the excitement, Attenborough was not present to accept his award in person. The British icon, just eight months shy of turning 100, has long been celebrated for his distinctive voice and storytelling prowess. His influence in the world of natural history filmmaking is so profound that over 40 species of animals and plants have been named after him, a testament to his enduring legacy and impact. Earlier this year, Attenborough released another major project, ‘Ocean,’ which he described as “one of the most important projects of my career.” He has expressed hope that this film would inspire urgent action to protect biodiversity and address the mounting threat of climate change, according to USA TODAY.
While Attenborough’s historic win captured headlines, the evening was packed with other memorable moments. ABC’s perennial favorite, ‘General Hospital,’ once again dominated the awards, sweeping up seven trophies including the coveted best daytime drama series. The show’s continued success at the Emmys cements its reputation as a pillar of daytime television. Nancy Lee Grahn, who has portrayed Alexis Davis on ‘General Hospital’ since 1996, took home her third career Emmy for outstanding lead actress. Grahn, known for using her platform to speak out on political and social issues, delivered a rousing acceptance speech. Clutching a silver purse hand-lettered with the words “Democracy dies in silence,” she urged the audience, “Our democracy is worth fighting for, the people in it are worth caring about, and whether you have a platform or not, now is the time, guys, to show up, stand up, speak up for human decency, for democracy. Stand up!” (Associated Press).
In the lead actor category, Paul Telfer of Peacock’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ was honored for his portrayal of Xander Kiriakis, a role he has inhabited since 2015. In a touching moment, Telfer dedicated his win to his late mother, saying, “My mom always loved soaps and she loved villains. 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.” His heartfelt words resonated with many in the audience, highlighting the deep personal connections that often underpin these career achievements.
The supporting categories also brought their share of emotion and surprise. Jonathan Jackson, who has played Lucky Spencer on ‘General Hospital’ intermittently since 1993, won outstanding supporting actor. Susan Walters, a first-time nominee for her role as Diane Jenkins on CBS’s ‘The Young and the Restless,’ took home the supporting actress trophy. Walters, clearly moved, thanked her husband of 40 years, Linden Ashby, who has also appeared on the show. Alley Mills, another ‘General Hospital’ cast member, picked up her second career Emmy as guest performer for her role as Heather Webber, telling the audience, “We’re living in really dark times right now. Everything’s crazy. We just got to keep our spirits high.”
The night also celebrated new and emerging talent. Lisa Yamada of CBS’s ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ won the emerging talent category, which replaced the younger actor and actress awards. Yamada, who plays the complex character Luna Nozawa, was visibly emotional during her acceptance, admitting, “Acting has been my dream since I gained consciousness, and my dreams are coming true right now. I’m ugly crying.”
Daytime talk shows had their own share of glory. Drew Barrymore, the effervescent host of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show,’ claimed her first Emmy for best daytime talk series host. ‘Live With Kelly and Mark’ was recognized as the best daytime talk series, reaffirming its popularity with audiences nationwide. In the world of culinary television, Kardea Brown’s ‘Delicious Miss Brown’ on Food Network was a standout, earning both the culinary host and instructional series awards. Brown, overcome with emotion, said through tears, “Is this real? These are tears of joy. As a young Black woman from Charleston, South Carolina, nobody would have ever thought that this would be possible, but I know one person that did. That’s God.”
Other notable winners included ‘Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall’ (HBO | Max) for outstanding culinary cultural series, ‘Hot Bench’ (CBS Media Ventures) for outstanding legal/courtroom program, and ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’ (ABC) for outstanding daytime special. ‘Ballin’ Out’ (Outsports) was awarded for outstanding short-form program. The team of Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith, and Nischelle Turner received accolades as outstanding daytime personalities (daily) for ‘Entertainment Tonight’ (CBS Media Ventures).
Journalist Deborah Norville, who recently transitioned from her long-running role as anchor of ‘Inside Edition’ to hosting the game show ‘The Perfect Line,’ was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her three-decade career in television journalism was celebrated with warm applause and recognition from peers and viewers alike.
Eligible programs for this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards aired between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, ensuring that the field was both competitive and current. Mario Lopez, himself a familiar face to daytime audiences, hosted the ceremony, keeping the festivities lively and on track.
As the curtain fell on another year of daytime television’s biggest night, it was clear that the genre remains as vibrant and relevant as ever. From emotional tributes and political calls to action, to record-breaking wins and joyful celebrations of new talent, the 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards offered a snapshot of an industry that continues to evolve while honoring its storied past.
