Sir David Attenborough, legendary chronicler of the natural world, became a Daytime Emmy winner on Friday, taking the trophy for daytime personality, non-daily as host of the Netflix show Secret Lives of Orangutans.
Sir David’s win at the age of 99 broke iconic actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke’s record for oldest Daytime Emmy winner, who was 98 when he won as guest performer in a daytime drama series for Days of Our Lives in 2024.
Looking back at the body of work that Sir David has created, a BBC report on the win said: “Writer, broadcaster and naturalist, Sir David’s career spans more than 70 years, during which his voice has become synonymous with natural history programmes both in the UK and across the English-speaking world.”
The report said that his “award-winning natural history programmes include Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants and The Blue Planet”, and that “more than 40 animals and plant species have also been named after him”.
One of his most recent films is Ocean with David Attenborough, described by The National Geographic as “stunning”. It said: “The film helps viewers reflect deeply on the ocean’s significance, the threats it faces, and the solutions that can ensure its protection.”
The BBC report referred to this film as “one of the most important projects” of Sir David’s career. He himself has been known to say, “If we save the sea, we save our world.”
