[EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated. It was initially believed that Dick Van Dyke was the oldest Creative Arts Emmys winner at 98. This has been corrected in the current text.]
Dick Van Dyke was past thrilled on the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards!
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the 98-year-old's birthday particular, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, took house the win for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). The two-hour tribute CBS particular, which featured archival footage and dwell performances of songs from Van Dyke’s storied profession, aired in December.
Though it was initially believed that Van Dyke's win meant he was the oldest winner of a Creative Arts Emmy at 98 years, 8 months and 26 days outdated — beating out the late Norman Lear, who beforehand held the document for his personal particular, Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All within the Family and Good Times, which he gained at 98 years, 5 months and 26 days outdated in 2020 — it was later confirmed by Variety that Van Dyke was not listed as a producer on the particular, per the undertaking's IMDb Page.
This means Lear maintains the document for oldest Creative Arts Emmys winner, and Van Dyke didn't win an Emmy on Sept. 7, regardless of taking the stage to ship an acceptance speech.
“Thank you, that reception, I cannot tell you what it means,” Van Dyke mentioned after his particular was introduced because the winner. He then reminded the viewers, “I'm 99 next month,” earlier than busting into some dance strikes to show he is nonetheless spry regardless of his age.
Continuing, Van Dyke gestured to his spouse Arlene Silver, who joined him on stage as government producer of the particular. “The young lady who got this award, you may think of the word nepotism and I would understand it, but this lady got the job all by herself as producer of the Dick Van Dyke special because she knows me inside and out, and knows how I work, and don't take no sass from anybody. Arlene Van Dyke!”
Arlene then thanked the gang earlier than addressing her husband straight. “Thank you so much,” she mentioned. “It is a honor to spend my life with you… We got four nominations that put love, heart and soul into the show. To honor you, you've created endless joy and playfulness for generations to come.”
Monty Brinton/CBS by way of Getty
Later within the press room, Van Dyke was overcome with pleasure as he constantly informed reporters he “couldn't believe it.” He then proudly declared, “I'm probably the oldest Emmy winner,” to which Arlene famous Lear earned the title first.
When requested what recommendation he'd prefer to impart on the following technology of expertise, Van Dyke informed reporters, “You have to stick with it. You're gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions… but you have to stay with it. Be patient if you've got the confidence in yourself and it's very important to believe that you can do it.”
“I don't know how I did it!” he jokingly added.
As for what legacy he'd like to depart behind, Van Dyke mentioned he hopes he is remembered for “laughter” and “making people laugh for 75 years.”
“I've been in the business 75 years. I can't believe it, that I'm still here and performing,” he mentioned, earlier than quipping, “I'm looking for work if anybody has!”
Stewart Cook/Getty
Van Dyke beforehand spoke to PEOPLE beforehand about his two-hour tribute particular as he recalled pondering, “‘I don't deserve this.'”
“It's difficult to say how I felt,” he mentioned. “I got here house, and I mentioned, ‘You know one thing? It's going to be a few days earlier than this truly sinks in that it occurred.' I by no means anticipated that type of recognition. My entire life went earlier than me. I did not understand I had performed so many issues whereas I used to be 75 years in present enterprise.”
The legendary actor's win on the Creative Arts Emmy Awards comes simply three months after he secured one other history-making win on the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In June, Van Dyke grew to become the oldest Daytime Emmy winner ever as he took house the prize for greatest visitor performer in a daytime drama collection for his function as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.
“I don't believe this,” he mentioned as he accepted the award alongside his spouse. “I'm 98 years old, can you believe it? This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business.”
Rick Rowell/Disney General Entertainment Content by way of Getty
Prior to his win, he informed PEOPLE in an unique assertion that the nomination was “very exciting.”
“After all, it took me 75 years and my pal Drake Hogestyn to get on a soap opera! He is really the reason this happened and deserves the credit and thanks,” he mentioned on the time. “This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting — comedy and musicals are my specialty after all. I'm so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating the entire daytime television community.”
On the cleaning soap, Van Dyke performed Timothy Robicheaux in a four-part story arc. His character bridges the hole in his reminiscence by way of musical numbers and workouts with assist from Marlena Evans (Diedre Hall), John Black (Hogestyn) and Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols).
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The 2024 Creative Arts Emmys will air Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on FXX, and will also be streamed on Hulu from Sept. 15 by means of Oct. 9.
