Attenborough, 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. He is the oldest actor to win a Daytime Emmy.
Paul Telfer of Days of Our Lives and Nancy Lee Grahn of General Hospital won lead acting honours at the awards on Friday, with ABC's General Hospital claiming six trophies in the major categories, including drama series.
Telfer, a 45-year-old native of Scotland, plays Xander Kiriakis on 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 honours.
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 mum on The Wonder Years.
"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."
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 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."
