Richard Wayne Van Dyke, born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, is an American actor and comedian whose career spans screen and stage. With over seven decades of entertaining the world, Dick Van Dyke is now 99 years old and proving that age is just a number. His awards include six Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993, and then the Television Hall of Fame in 1995. He has been honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2020.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Van Dyke began his career as an entertainer on radio, television, and in nightclubs. During the late 1940s, Van Dyke was a radio DJ on WDAN in Danville, Illinois. In 1947, Van Dyke was persuaded by pantomime performer Phil Erickson to form a comedy duo called "Eric and Van-the Merry Mutes." The team toured the West Coast nightclub circuit, performing a mime act and lip synching to 78 rpm records. Van Dyke's start in television was with WDSU-TV New Orleans Channel 6 (NBC), first as a single comedian and later as emcee of a comedy program. Van Dyke's first network TV appearance was with Dennis James on James' Chance of a Lifetime in 1954. He later appeared in two episodes of The Phil Silvers Show during its 1957-58 season. He also appeared early in his career on ABC's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and NBC's The Polly Bergen Show.
He made his Broadway debut in the musical revue The Girls Against the Boys (1959). The following year he starred as Albert F. Peterson in the original production of Bye Bye Birdie (1960), a role which earned him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. On television, Van Dyke became a household name in the United States and Canada portraying Rob Petrie in the CBS sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966), which also earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Iconic Roles and Critical Acclaim
Van Dyke is also known for his role as Bert, the cockney chimney sweep in the Disney movie musical Mary Poppins (1964), for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. He starred in the movie musicals Bye Bye Birdie (1963) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), as well as the comedy-drama The Comic (1969).
From 1961 to 1966, Van Dyke starred in the CBS sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, in which he portrayed a comedy writer named Rob Petrie. Carl Reiner conceived the program and cast himself as the lead in the pilot, but CBS insisted on recasting, and Reiner chose Van Dyke to replace him in the role. Complementing Van Dyke was a veteran cast of comic actors including Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Jerry Paris, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Richard Deacon, and Carl Reiner (as Alan Brady), as well as 24-year-old Mary Tyler Moore, who played Rob's wife Laura Petrie. The Dick Van Dyke Show received positive reviews from its start, with The Hollywood Reporter praising Van Dyke's comedic performance writing, "Sure to catch on as a new personality is Dick Van Dyke who, though he can play it straight when need be, proves a master of the double take, juicing up to solid laughs what would possibly be just amusing lines with his physical reactions. Yet, he doesn't over-mug.
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In 1964, Van Dyke was cast in two roles in Walt Disney's Mary Poppins: as Bert, a man who goes through multiple odd jobs, ultimately and memorably becoming a chimney sweep; and as bank chairman Mr. Dawes Senior. For his scenes as the chairman, he was heavily costumed to look much older and was credited in that role as "Navckid Keyd". At the end of the credits, the letters unscramble into "Dick Van Dyke", which was repeated in Mary Poppins Returns.
Many of the comedy films Van Dyke starred in throughout the 1960s were relatively unsuccessful at the box office, including What a Way to Go! with Shirley MacLaine, Lt. Robinson, and Divorce American Style with Debbie Reynolds and Jean Simmons. In 1969, Van Dyke appeared in the comedy-drama The Comic, written and directed by Carl Reiner. Van Dyke portrayed a self-destructive silent film era comedian who struggles with alcoholism, depression, and his own rampant ego. Also in 1969, Van Dyke played Rev. Clayton Brooks, a small-town minister who leads his Iowa town to quit smoking for 30 days to win $25 million (equal to $214,360,254 today) from a tobacco company. The film, Cold Turkey, was not released until 1971.
Later Career and Continued Success
From 1971 to 1974, Van Dyke starred in an unrelated sitcom called The New Dick Van Dyke Show in which he portrayed a local television talk show host. In 1973, Van Dyke voiced his animated likeness for the October 27, 1973, installment of Hanna-Barbera's The New Scooby-Doo Movies, "Scooby-Doo Meets Dick Van Dyke", the series' final first-run episode.
In 1974, he received an Emmy Award nomination for his role as an alcoholic businessman in the television movie The Morning After (1974). Van Dyke revealed after its release that he had recently overcome a real-life drinking problem; he admitted he had been an alcoholic for 25 years. That same year he guest-starred as a murderous photographer on an episode of Columbo, Negative Reaction.
Van Dyke returned to comedy in 1976 with the sketch comedy show Van Dyke and Company, on which Andy Kaufman made his prime time debut. Despite being canceled after three months, the show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Series. After a few guest appearances on the long-running comedy-variety series The Carol Burnett Show, Van Dyke became a regular on the show, in the fall of 1977.
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In 1989, he guest-starred on the NBC comedy series The Golden Girls portraying a lover of Beatrice Arthur's character. On Larry King Live, Van Dyke mentioned that he turned down the lead role in The Omen which was played by Gregory Peck. He also mentioned that his dream role would have been the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.
Van Dyke's film work affected his TV career: the reviews he received for his role as D.A. Fletcher in Dick Tracy led him to star as the character Dr. Mark Sloan first in an episode of Jake and the Fatman, then in a series of TV movies on CBS that became the foundation for his popular television drama Diagnosis: Murder. The series ran from 1993 to 2001 with son Barry Van Dyke co-starring in the role of Dr. Sloan's son Lieutenant Detective Steve Sloan.
Van Dyke continued to find television work after Diagnosis: Murder, including a dramatically and critically successful performance of The Gin Game, produced for television in 2003 that reunited him with Mary Tyler Moore. In 2003, he portrayed Doctor Doug Townshend on Scrubs. A 2004 special of The Dick Van Dyke Show titled The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited was heavily promoted as the first new episode of the classic series to be shown in 38 years. In 2006 he guest-starred as college professor Dr. Jonathan Maxwell for a series of Murder 101 mystery films on the Hallmark Channel.
Van Dyke returned to motion pictures in 2006 with Curious George as Mr. Bloomsberry and villain Cecil Fredericks in the Ben Stiller film Night at the Museum. He reprised the role in a cameo for the sequel, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), but it was cut from the film. It can be found in the special features on the DVD release.
In 2018, Van Dyke portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. in Mary Poppins Returns. He had previously portrayed both Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. (Mr. Dawes Sr.) in the original Mary Poppins (1964). In 2023, Van Dyke competed in season nine of The Masked Singer as "Gnome" and was the first to be eliminated. The episode had been promoted as "the most legendary, decorated and beloved unmasking in history". After Van Dyke revealed his identity, he received a lengthy standing ovation from the audience and judges. Before departing the stage, Van Dyke sang as an encore of his part in the song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins, in which he starred. In December 2024, Van Dyke starred in the music video for the Coldplay song "All My Love".
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Dick Van Dyke's Lifestyle and Health Practices
At 99 years old, Dick Van Dyke emphasizes that regular exercise has helped him live a long and fulfilling life. He maintains his longevity with a handful of simple practices. In an interview, the "Mary Poppins" actor spoke about staying active in body and spirit at his age. Van Dyke said, "I've often tried to think, 'What did I do to live this long?' and I can't figure out. The only thing is I've always exercised. We still go to the gym three days a week and work out." Keeping active, he said, is "the secret" to longevity. "Most people at 98 years old don't really feel like working out, and they seize up, you know? You get stiff, and I still, you know, move pretty well," he said. "And I think that must be the secret because I don't really watch my diet or anything. Stayed skinny. That helps."
Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Van Dyke revealed, that he stays in shape by working out three times a week. He shared that he "get[s] down and do a lot of stretching and yoga," and that he adds fitness machines to ensure a full-body workout. According to the actor, this routine is likely "why [he's] not stove up like some of [his] equals." He also does a variety of activities such as water aerobics, lifting weights and walking. Podcast host Ted Danson revealed a time when he spotted Van Dyke at the gym, recalling his "circuit training" like routine. "You would not walk to the next machine, you danced. You literally danced to the next machine," The Cheers alum, 77, recalled of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor before Silver, 53, interjected, "He still does that."
Diet and Nutrition
Dick Van Dyke avoids red meat, especially ultra-processed meats like bacon, sausages, and deli meats. Eating excessive amounts of red meat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, among other health problems. Furthermore, red meat can contain high amounts of saturated fats, which can raise harmful cholesterol and clog arteries. Too much salt can sneak into the diet via snacks, sauces, canned foods, and meals at restaurants. In contrast, Dick Van Dyke chooses fresh, whole foods, low in salt content, to keep his vigorous physiological function for longevity. This practice may help him avoid high blood pressure, a major risk for stroke and heart disease. Although Dick Van Dyke used to be a drinker, he manages to abstain from alcohol consumption nowadays. Alcohol can damage the liver, adversely affect learning and memory, and even increase the risk of some cancers.
Dick frequently consumes three things as part of his longevity protocol. Turmeric is a bright yellow-colored spice known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. He frequently adds turmeric to things like tea, smoothies, and vegetables. Research suggests that turmeric reduces systemic inflammation-which contributes to aging-and may lower the risk of heart problems and Alzheimer’s disease, and may even alleviate arthritis. Some research even suggests that turmeric supports learning and memory. Dick Van Dyke consumes at least one serving of leafy greens daily, in the form of spinach and kale. Leafy greens are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K and have folate. Research suggests that these vitamins are important for strong bones and a strong immune system. Moreover, leafy greens are high in fiber, which supports digestive function. Dick frequently consumes blueberries in smoothies or as a snack. Blueberries contain high levels of antioxidants, which can help alleviate inflammation associated with aging. Furthermore, research suggests that eating blueberries supports memory, focus, and mental clarity, especially important factors related to well-being as people age.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
It doesn't hurt that Van Dyke also has a positive attitude toward life; "I was fortunate that I didn't grow up," he said. And Silver concurs. "He's always happy and just positive," Silver told ET. Dick Van Dyke maintains a positive attitude, embracing movement, laughter, and curiosity as his daily medicine for longevity. Along those lines, some research suggests that maintaining these kinds of positive emotions is tied to lower systemic inflammation. “I feel so sorry for people who hate their jobs,” said Dick Van Dyke. What keeps Dick Van Dyke full of vigor into his golden years does not only entail what he does, it also what he does not do.
Overcoming Challenges
Van Dyke publicly revealed he was dealing with alcoholism and checked into a hospital for three weeks to address his addiction in 1972. After that, he worked to change the stigma about the disease. “It’s a physical disease,” Van Dyke said on The Dick Cavett Show in 1974. “It has nothing to do with the person not being mature enough not to drink too much. It’s a true addiction, like a heroin addiction.” Once Van Dyke sought help for alcoholism, he also addressed his smoking habits. “Trying to quit smoking, that was twice as hard,” Van Dyke said on the Really No Really podcast in 2023. “It was much worse than the alcohol,” he added, saying it took him “forever” to quit.
In 2013, Van Dyke was forced to cancel public appearances for health reasons. That April, the entertainer was set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Bettering Humanity through Comedy from New York’s 92Y, but he had to pull out. His reps said he was dealing with “fatigue and lack of sleep resulting from symptoms of a yet-to-be diagnosed neurological disorder,” according to Entertainment Tonight.
Personal Life
On February 12, 1948, while appearing at the Chapman Park Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, Van Dyke and the former Margerie Willett were married on the radio show Bride and Groom. They had four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy and Carrie Beth. They divorced in 1984 after a long separation. In 1976, Van Dyke began his relationship with longtime companion Michelle Triola Marvin. They lived together for more than 30 years, until her death in 2009. On February 29, 2012, at the age of 86, Van Dyke married make-up artist Arlene Silver, 46 years his junior. Van Dyke included his children and grandchildren in his TV shows. Son Barry Van Dyke, grandsons Shane Van Dyke and Carey Van Dyke, and other Van Dyke grandchildren and relatives appeared in episodes of Diagnosis: Murder. Van Dyke has seven grandchildren.