Dick Van Dyke Busts a Move as He Ties Record for Oldest Creative Arts Emmys Winner at 98: 'I Can't Believe It'

Dick Van Dyke is giddy as he picks up another trophy at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards!

On Saturday, September 7, the 98-year-old took home the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Taped) win for his 98th birthday special, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic. A two-hour CBS tribute special, featuring archival footage and live performances of songs from Van Dyke’s storied career, aired in December.

Van Dyke’s win ties him as the oldest Creative Arts Emmy winner alongside the late Norman Lear, who previously held the record for his special, Live in front of a studio audience: Norman Lear All in the Family and Good Times, which he won at the age of 98 in 2020.

“Thank you, that reception, I can’t tell you what it means,” Van Dyke said after taking the stage. He then reminded the crowd: “I’ll be 99 next month,” before busting out some dance moves to prove he’s still vibrant despite his age.

Continuing, Van Dyke motioned to his wife, Arlene Silver, who joined him on stage as the special’s producer. “The young lady who won this award, maybe you mean the word nepotism and I would understand that, but this lady got a job as a producer all by herself Dick Van Dyke special because she knows me inside and out, and knows how I work, and doesn’t bother anyone. Arlene Van Dyke!”

Arlene then thanked the crowd before addressing her husband directly. – Thank you very much – she said. “It is an honor to spend my life with you… We received four nominations that brought love, heart and soul to the show. To your credit, you have created endless joy and playfulness for generations to come.”

Dick Van Dyke ‘Works on’ ‘One-Man Show’ at ’98 After Daytime Emmy Win: ‘Lots of Funny Stories’ (Exclusive)

Arlene Silver and Dick Van Dyke.

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Later in the press room, Van Dyke was overcome with excitement as he kept telling reporters that he “can’t believe it.” He then proudly declared, “I’m probably the oldest Emmy winner,” to which Arlene noted that Lear was the first to earn the title.

When asked what advice he would like to pass on to the next generation of talent, Van Dyke told reporters: “You’ve got to stick with it. You’re going to go through tough times and a lot of auditions… but you’ve got to stick with it. Be patient if you have confidence in yourself and it’s very important to believe you can do it.”

– I don’t know how I managed it! he added jokingly.

As for the legacy he’d like to leave behind, Van Dyke said he hopes to be remembered for “laughing” and “making people laugh for 75 years.”

“I’ve been in the business for 75 years. I can’t believe I’m still here performing,” he said, before joking, “I’m looking for a job if anyone has one!”

Dick Van Dyke won a guest starring role in a daytime drama series for “Days of Our Lives” in June 2024.

Stewart Cook/Getty

Van Dyke previously spoke to PEOPLE about his two-hour tribute special, recalling thinking, “‘I don’t deserve this.’

“It’s hard to say how I felt,” he said. “I came home and said, ‘You know what? It’s going to be a few days before this really sinks in that it happened.’ I didn’t expect that kind of recognition. I didn’t know that I had done so many things in my 75 years in show business.

Carol Burnett reunites with Dick Van Dyke as she is honored at her handprint ceremony

The legendary actor’s win at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards comes just three months after he secured another historic win at the Daytime Emmy Awards.

In June, Van Dyke became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner ever when he took home the award for Outstanding Guest in a Daytime Drama Series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of our lives.

“I can’t believe it,” he said while accepting the award together with his wife. “I’m 98 years old, can you believe it? This is really the culmination of my 80 years in business.”

Dick Van Dyke. Rick Rowell/Disney General entertainment content via Getty

Before his win, he told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement that the nomination was “very exciting.”

“After all, it took me and my friend Drake Hogestyn 75 years to get on a soap opera! He’s really the reason this happened and he deserves credit and thanks,” he said at the time. “This is a very different honor for me; I rarely get recognized for dramatic or straight acting — comedies and musicals are my specialty, though. I’m so honored and it’s going to be a fun night celebrating the entire daytime television community.”

In the soap, Van Dyke played Timothy Robicheaux in a four-part story. His character bridges the gap in his memory through musical numbers and exercises with the support of Marlene Evans (Diedre Hall), John Black (Hogestyn) and Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols).

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The 2024 Creative Arts Emmys will air Saturday, September 14th at 8:00pm ET on FXX and can also be streamed on Hulu from September 15th to October 9th.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education