Dick Van Dyke.Photo: Mark Davis/Getty
Dick Van Dykeis 99 and feeling fine!The actor, whose award-winning career has spanned decades and is still going strong today, earned a Tony Award for originating the role of Albert Peterson inBye Bye Birdieon Broadway in the 1960s and captured viewers' hearts on series such asThe Dick Van Dyke ShowandDiagnosis Murderand movies includingMary PoppinsandDick Tracy.In honor of Van Dyke’s big milestone, take a look back on his life and career in photos.
Dick Van Dykeis 99 and feeling fine!
The actor, whose award-winning career has spanned decades and is still going strong today, earned a Tony Award for originating the role of Albert Peterson inBye Bye Birdieon Broadway in the 1960s and captured viewers' hearts on series such asThe Dick Van Dyke ShowandDiagnosis Murderand movies includingMary PoppinsandDick Tracy.
In honor of Van Dyke’s big milestone, take a look back on his life and career in photos.
01of 15Dick Van Dyke’s Early YearsYoung Dick Van Dyke.PhotofestDick Van Dykewas born on Dec. 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, ultimately growing up in Danville, Illinois. Before hitting it big, the actor wed Margie Willet, with whom he had four children (from left): Carrie Beth, Barry, Chris and Stacy. After a lengthy separation, he and Willet officially divorced in 1984.
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Dick Van Dyke’s Early Years
Young Dick Van Dyke.Photofest
Dick Van Dykewas born on Dec. 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, ultimately growing up in Danville, Illinois. Before hitting it big, the actor wed Margie Willet, with whom he had four children (from left): Carrie Beth, Barry, Chris and Stacy. After a lengthy separation, he and Willet officially divorced in 1984.
02of 15The Dick Van Dyke ShowDick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.CBS/GettyAfter starting out in radio and on Broadway, Van Dyke landed on Carl Reiner’sThe Dick Van Dyke Showbeginning in 1961.Mary Tyler Mooreplayed his wife, and the two were catapulted to stardom, both winning Emmys for their work.“People assumed we were married,” Van Dyke once told PEOPLE. “I’d check into a hotel with my [real] wife, and they would say, ‘Who’s this?’ "
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The Dick Van Dyke Show
Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.CBS/Getty
After starting out in radio and on Broadway, Van Dyke landed on Carl Reiner’sThe Dick Van Dyke Showbeginning in 1961.Mary Tyler Mooreplayed his wife, and the two were catapulted to stardom, both winning Emmys for their work.
“People assumed we were married,” Van Dyke once told PEOPLE. “I’d check into a hotel with my [real] wife, and they would say, ‘Who’s this?’ "
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Dick Van Dyke in ‘Mary Poppins’
Dick Van Dyke in ‘Mary Poppins’.Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty
Van Dyke joinedJulie Andrews, Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber in Walt Disney Pictures’Mary Poppinsin 1964. The film “was special,” he told PEOPLE in 2011. Plus “I loved working with kids. You do a lot of clowning and get to know them.”
04of 15Dick Van Dyke on ‘Diagnosis Murder’Dick Van Dyke on Diagnosis Murder .CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesThe actor famously played Dr. Mark Sloan, the medic who solved crimes in his spare time, in the CBS crime dramaDiagnosis Murderfrom 1993 to 2001. His daughter Stacy and son Barry both joined him at various points on the show.
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Dick Van Dyke on ‘Diagnosis Murder’
Dick Van Dyke on Diagnosis Murder .CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
The actor famously played Dr. Mark Sloan, the medic who solved crimes in his spare time, in the CBS crime dramaDiagnosis Murderfrom 1993 to 2001. His daughter Stacy and son Barry both joined him at various points on the show.
05of 15Dick Van Dyke and Brother Jerry Van DykeDick Van Dyke and Brother Jerry Van Dyke.Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImageAlso in the industry: his younger brother Jerry, perhaps best known for his role on the seriesCoach.Jerry died in 2018.
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Dick Van Dyke and Brother Jerry Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke and Brother Jerry Van Dyke.Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
Also in the industry: his younger brother Jerry, perhaps best known for his role on the seriesCoach.Jerry died in 2018.
06of 15Dick Van Dyke and Carol BurnettDick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/ShutterstockVan Dyke andCarol Burnettoften guested on each other’s shows. “I love her laugh,” he told PEOPLE.
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Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett
Dick Van Dyke and Carol Burnett.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Van Dyke andCarol Burnettoften guested on each other’s shows. “I love her laugh,” he told PEOPLE.
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Dick Van Dyke in ‘Night at the Museum’
Ben Stillercast Van Dyke inNight at the Museum(here in 2006 alongsideMickey Rooneyand Bill Cobbs) because he was an unlikely villain, Stiller told PEOPLE.
08of 15Dick Van Dyke and Michelle TriolaDick Van Dyke and Michelle Triola.Ron Galella Collection via GettyAfter his separation, Van Dyke spent nearly 35 years with longtime companion Michelle Triola. She died in 2009.
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Dick Van Dyke and Michelle Triola
Dick Van Dyke and Michelle Triola.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
After his separation, Van Dyke spent nearly 35 years with longtime companion Michelle Triola. She died in 2009.
09of 15Dick Van Dyke and Wife Arlene SilverSplash News.Dick Van Dyke and Wife Arlene SilverIn 2012,Van Dyke married makeup artist Arlene Silver,who frequently joins him on red carpets.At the time of his 97th birthday,Van Dyke said being married to Silverwas among the things helping him stay young.“Genes, I guess, for one thing,” Van Dyke recently toldYahoo! Entertainment. “Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me — that works! My positive attitude, I get that from my wife.”
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Dick Van Dyke and Wife Arlene Silver
Splash News.Dick Van Dyke and Wife Arlene Silver
In 2012,Van Dyke married makeup artist Arlene Silver,who frequently joins him on red carpets.
At the time of his 97th birthday,Van Dyke said being married to Silverwas among the things helping him stay young.
“Genes, I guess, for one thing,” Van Dyke recently toldYahoo! Entertainment. “Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me — that works! My positive attitude, I get that from my wife.”
10of 15Dick Van Dyke and Emily BluntDick Van Dyke and Emily Blunt.Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal/GettyVan Dyke had a resurgence of sorts in 2018 when he joinedEmily BluntinMary Poppins Returns.The two shared the stage at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards.
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Dick Van Dyke and Emily Blunt
Dick Van Dyke and Emily Blunt.Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal/Getty
Van Dyke had a resurgence of sorts in 2018 when he joinedEmily BluntinMary Poppins Returns.The two shared the stage at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards.
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Dick Van Dyke’s Political Activism
Dick Van Dyke.Michael Tullberg/Getty
12of 15Dick Van Dyke’s Kennedy Center HonorDick Van Dyke at the Kennedy Center Honors.Paul Morigi/Getty ImagesIn 2020, Van Dyke was among the year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients, alongsideDebbie Allen,Joan Baez,Garth Brooksand Midori Gotō. The group’s ceremony was delayed to 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Dick Van Dyke’s Kennedy Center Honor
Dick Van Dyke at the Kennedy Center Honors.Paul Morigi/Getty Images
In 2020, Van Dyke was among the year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients, alongsideDebbie Allen,Joan Baez,Garth Brooksand Midori Gotō. The group’s ceremony was delayed to 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
13of 15Dick Van Dyke on ‘The Masked Singer’Dick Van Dyke on The Masked Singer.Michael Becker/FOX; Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyYou read that right! In February 2023, at age 97, the actor popped up on the season 9 premiere ofThe Masked Singer,performing “When You’re Smiling” as Gnome.“I had never even seen the show when they asked me. So I checked it out and it looked like a lot of fun,“he told PEOPLE afterward. “I was positive they wouldn’t be able to guess who I was. And I was right!”
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Dick Van Dyke on ‘The Masked Singer’
Dick Van Dyke on The Masked Singer.Michael Becker/FOX; Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
You read that right! In February 2023, at age 97, the actor popped up on the season 9 premiere ofThe Masked Singer,performing “When You’re Smiling” as Gnome.
“I had never even seen the show when they asked me. So I checked it out and it looked like a lot of fun,“he told PEOPLE afterward. “I was positive they wouldn’t be able to guess who I was. And I was right!”
14of 15Dick Van Dyke in Recent YearsDick Van Dyke.Roxanne McCann/GettyThe number of awards he’s earned — four Emmys, one Tony, one Grammy, one People’s Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement honor — only scratch the surface of the impact, influence and artistry Van Dyke has contributed to television, film and pop culture.Recently,he was spotted in Malibu, handing out cash to those seeking work and meeting with homeless people at the non-profit organizationMalibu County Labor Exchange.
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Dick Van Dyke in Recent Years
Dick Van Dyke.Roxanne McCann/Getty
The number of awards he’s earned — four Emmys, one Tony, one Grammy, one People’s Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement honor — only scratch the surface of the impact, influence and artistry Van Dyke has contributed to television, film and pop culture.
Recently,he was spotted in Malibu, handing out cash to those seeking work and meeting with homeless people at the non-profit organizationMalibu County Labor Exchange.
15of 15Dick Van Dyke’s Coldplay Music VideoLaura Johansen, Alaura Imagery & DesignIn the days ahead of his 99th birthday, Dick Van Dyke starred in the music video for Coldplay’s “All My Love,” which featured a poignant look back at his career as well as a celebration of the actor as he approaches 100, including appearances from his wife and large family.“I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now. But I don’t know why, it doesn’t concern me,” Van Dyke says in the extended director’s cut. “I’m not afraid of it. I have that feeling totally against anything intellectual I have that I’m gonna be alright. I think I’m one of those lucky people who got to do for a living what I would’ve done anyway. When you think how lucky I am — I got to do what I do, play and act silly.”
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Dick Van Dyke’s Coldplay Music Video
Laura Johansen, Alaura Imagery & Design
In the days ahead of his 99th birthday, Dick Van Dyke starred in the music video for Coldplay’s “All My Love,” which featured a poignant look back at his career as well as a celebration of the actor as he approaches 100, including appearances from his wife and large family.
“I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now. But I don’t know why, it doesn’t concern me,” Van Dyke says in the extended director’s cut. “I’m not afraid of it. I have that feeling totally against anything intellectual I have that I’m gonna be alright. I think I’m one of those lucky people who got to do for a living what I would’ve done anyway. When you think how lucky I am — I got to do what I do, play and act silly.”
source: people.com
