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Attenborough at 100: Still the GOAT of Nature Docs
9 May
Summary
- Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday today, May 9, 2026.
- Planet Earth's US version initially used Sigourney Weaver as narrator.
- Attenborough's version of Planet Earth outsold Weaver's significantly.
Sir David Attenborough is celebrating his 100th birthday today, May 9, 2026. His career, beginning in the 1950s at the BBC, has established him as the undisputed greatest nature documentary presenter.
While Attenborough is globally recognized, his prominence in America grew later in his career. The 2006 series Planet Earth initially aired in the US with Sigourney Weaver as narrator, a decision now seen as misguided.
Despite Weaver's strong performance, Attenborough's presence is considered unparalleled. This was evident when the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of Planet Earth saw Attenborough's version outselling Weaver's substantially.
Today, only the British, Attenborough-narrated version of Planet Earth is available on physical media and streaming platforms like HBO Max. All subsequent series, including Blue Planet and further Planet Earth installments, have exclusively featured Attenborough's narration, underscoring his enduring appeal.
