David Attenborough, 99, breaks record as oldest Daytime Emmy winner.
'General Hospital' wins big
[October 18, 2025]
By BETH HARRIS
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Paul Telfer of “Days of Our Lives” and Nancy Lee
Grahn of “General Hospital” won lead acting honors at the Daytime Emmys
on Friday, with ABC's “General Hospital” claiming six trophies in the
major categories, including drama series.
Sir David Attenborough broke Dick Van Dyke’s record for oldest Daytime
Emmy winner, taking the trophy for daytime personality, non-daily as
host of Netflix’s “Secret Lives of Orangutans.”
Attenborough, who is 99, wasn’t on hand. The Brit’s career as a writer,
host and narrator spans eight decades.
Van Dyke was 98 when he won as guest performer in a daytime drama series
for “Days of Our Lives” in 2024.
Telfer, a 45-year-old native of Scotland, plays Xander Kiriakis on
Peacock's “Days of Our Lives,” which he first joined in 2015.
“My mom always loved soaps and she loved villains,” he said. “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.”
Grahn earned her third career trophy at the 52nd annual awards, having
played Alexis Davis on “General Hospital” since 1996. She regularly uses
her platform to speak out on political matters, and she carried a silver
clutch that she had hand-lettered with the words “Democracy dies in
silence.”
“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,” she said,
shouting, “Stand up!” multiple times to the audience.
Jonathan Jackson of “General Hospital” and first-time nominee Susan
Walters of “The Young and the Restless” won supporting acting honors.
Jackson accepted the trophy for playing Lucky Spencer, a role he
originated in 1993 and has played on and off ever since.
“General Hospital” also claimed trophies for Alley Mills as guest
performer in a daytime drama and its writing and directing teams.
It was Mills' second career win for playing Heather Webber. The
74-year-old, who first won in 2023, is best known as the mom on “The
Wonder Years.”
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Paul Telfer accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama
Series award for his performance in "Days of Our Lives" during the
52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at
Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris
Pizzello)
 “We're living in really dark times
right now. Everything's crazy,” Mills told the audience at the
Pasadena Civic Auditorium. “We just got to keep our spirits high.”
Walters plays Diane Jenkins on CBS' “Y&R,” which she has appeared in
during three different stints.
“I’m so happy that I won so I can thank my husband of 40 years,” she
said, singling out Linden Ashby, who has appeared on the same show
and lost to Mills in the guest actor category.
Drew Barrymore claimed her first win as daytime talk series host for
her eponymous New York-based show. She beat out Kelly Clarkson, Mark
Consuelos and Kelly Ripa, Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb, and
Jennifer Hudson. “Live With Kelly and Mark” won daytime talk series.
Lisa Yamada of CBS' “The Bold and the Beautiful” won the emerging
talent category, which replaced the younger actor and actress
awards. The 23-year-old plays murderous Luna Nozawa.
“Acting has been my dream since I gained consciousness, and my
dreams are coming true right now,” Yamada said, her voice choked
with emotion. “I'm ugly crying.”
The night's most exuberant winner was Kardea Brown, honored as
culinary host for the Food Network's “Delicious Miss Brown,” which
has aired for 10 seasons. The show also won for culinary
instructional series.
“Is this real?” Brown said, mascara-stained tears streaming down her
face. “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.”
Journalist Deborah Norville received the career achievement award.
She left “Inside Edition” in May after 30 years as anchor to become
host of “The Perfect Line” game show.
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