He lived through all the wildest times of 1960s Hollywood and survived some of the harshest personal trials that life can dish out, so it’s no wonder Dick Van Dyke is thrilled to still be here – and loving life – at the ripe old age of 100.
The legendary star celebrated his grand centenary this week, a milestone even he can’t believe he’s here to see. Showing his trademark sense of humour, Dick recently joked that “it’d be funny if I didn’t make it” to the big day. But make it he did – and in style!
That’s something he puts down to sheer luck, as well as the love of his wife of 13 years Arlene Silver, 54.
“I brag sometimes about how I made it to 100 and the truth is, if I had known I was going to live this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself,” he declared at a recent high-tea event in California.
“It is frustrating because I don’t know what I did right. Other than Arlene, I didn’t do anything right.”
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Still full of life at 100
But Dick showed his lust for life and an enduring love of fun might just be the magic ingredients when he got up to sing some of the songs that defined his career – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, as well as the theme tune to The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Never one to shy away from life, Dick regularly hits the gym and still has a strong desire to work. Just last year, he became the oldest person to win an Emmy, for his role as Timothy Robicheaux in Days Of Our Lives. Born in West Plains, Missouri, back in 1925, Dick was already 1.85m tall by the age of 12. He began his long climb to the top with work in radio at age 16, followed by nightclub gigs and a two-year stint in the military.
From Missouri to Hollywood
His big breakthrough finally happened in 1961 with groundbreaking sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, alongside fellow emerging superstar Mary Tyler Moore. His big-screen success began at age 36 with Bye Bye Birdie (1963), which was followed by the iconic Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and The Comic (1969).
Dick’s career momentum never stopped, with later notable work including supporting roles in movies like Dick Tracy (1990), Curious George (2006) and Night At The Museum (2006), plus TV favourite Diagnosis: Murder and a recent headline-grabbing role in Coldplay’s All My Love music video.
Facing the harder moments
But one sad consequence of Dick getting older has been seeing so many of his actor friends pass on, including Ed Asner, who was lined up to remake The Odd Couple with the star before he sadly passed away in 2021, aged 91.
“That would’ve been such fun and we lost it,” Dick says.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends.”
But despite it all, he refuses to lose his positivity.
“Well, life’s been good to me,” he explains.
“I can’t complain.”
Behind the smile
Dick’s upbeat attitude is all the more admirable considering his life hasn’t always been an easy one. His 36-year marriage to Margie Willett produced four children – Christian, 75, Barry, 74, Stacy, 70, and Carrie Beth, 64 – but it sadly crumbled, partly under the pressures of his battle for sobriety. He finally got on top of his drinking in the 1970s after he entered rehab.
But further heartbreak intruded with the 2009 death of his long-time partner Michelle Triola Marvin from lung cancer, which left him devastated. Other challenges included a 2013 car fire and a 2023 crash, as well as a very scary experience during the recent Pacific Palisades fires, but nothing has dimmed his optimism. Now, as he hits his 100th birthday, he’s seizing the moment by releasing a new book, 100 Rules for Living to 100, and fronting a documentary, Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration.
“It’s wonderful, a total surprise for me,” Dick says of his landmark birthday. “If you don’t think luck has a lot to do with it, then you’re mistaken.”
Bye Bye Birdie – 1963
Originally a Broadway hit, this satirical tale rode on a wave of ’60s youth culture – especially the booming teen music scene. Dick excelled in the musical comedy and its success won over a huge new fanbase of younger viewers. The film proved the eighth-highest grossing movie in the US that year.
Mary Poppins – 1964
Playing chimney sweep Bert, Dick broke free of TV and became a genuine movie star. It remains his defining role, despite a cockney accent that still sparks heated debate even to this day. The film won a string of awards, including five Oscars, and helped make the actor a versatile dancer, singer and comedian. It grossed more than $200 million worldwide.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – 1968
A family classic right around the world, Dick’s turn as Caractacus Potts showcases all of his talents. The tale of a magical flying car still resonates with kids of all ages and is regularly shown on TV. It was his biggest movie, grossing $350 million worldwide.
The Comic – 1969
This poignant comedy-drama followed a silent movie star’s roller-coaster ride from stardom to downfall amid changing times. Dick showed he could also do dramatic moments with this project and the film won critical raves. Sadly, it was a box-office flop.
Night at the Museum – 2006
A cameo appearance in this mega-hit showed that Dick could still hold an audience in the palm of his hand. His role as a retiring guard may have taken a back seat to lead star Ben Stiller, but when he was present, all eyes were still on him. The film pulled in $890 million.
