The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards took place Friday night in Pasadena, California, with some surprising wins and emotional speeches. Hosted by Mario Lopez, the ceremony honored the best in daytime television.
David Attenborough, the renowned naturalist and broadcaster, made history as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner at 99 years old. He won the award for daytime personality, non-daily, for his work on Netflix's "Secret Lives of Orangutans". Attenborough's win breaks the record previously held by Dick Van Dyke, who won a Daytime Emmy at 98 in 2024. Attenborough, whose career spans eight decades, was not present to accept the award.
"General Hospital" was the night's big winner, taking home seven trophies, including Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. Nancy Lee Grahn, who has played Alexis Davis on "General Hospital" since 1996, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series. In her acceptance speech, Grahn spoke passionately about the importance of democracy. Grahn, who has regularly used her platform to speak out on political matters, carried a silver clutch that she had hand-lettered with the words "Democracy dies in silence".
Jonathan Jackson won Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Lucky Spencer in "General Hospital". Alley Mills also secured a win for "General Hospital" as Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama. The show also won for its writing and directing.
Paul Telfer of "Days of Our Lives" won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series. Susan Walters of "The Young and the Restless" won Outstanding Supporting Actress. Olivia d'Abo won Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series for her role as Fifi Garrett in "The Bay".
Drew Barrymore won her first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for "The Drew Barrymore Show". "Live With Kelly and Mark" won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
Other notable winners included "Entertainment Tonight" for Outstanding Entertainment News Series, "Delicious Miss Brown" for Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series, and "Expedition Unknown" for Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program. Deborah Norville received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
