Dick Van Dyke Turns 100, Shares Life Lessons and New Book

On a quiet Saturday in Malibu, comedy icon Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday, a milestone that echoes the timeless charm of his early roles.

The milestone comes six decades after he sang and danced with Julie Andrews in “Mary Poppins” and starred in his self‑titled sitcom.

During an interview with \”ABC News\” at his Malibu home, Van Dyke reflected on the longevity of his career and the joy of reaching a century.

He said: “The funniest thing is, it’s not enough.” He added, “A hundred years is not enough. You want to live more, which I plan to.”

Van Dyke rose to fame with \”The Dick Van Dyke Show\”, which aired from 1961 to 1966 on CBS, and later appeared as a Cockney‑accented chimney sweep in the 1964 Disney classic “Mary Poppins.”

In his 70s he portrayed a physician‑sleuth on the television series \”Diagnosis: Murder\”.

His talents also earned him a Tony Award for \”Bye Bye Birdie\”, a Grammy, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and in 1963 he starred in the film adaptation of the same musical.

Just last year, he became the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy for a guest role on the soap opera \”Days of Our Lives\”.

The actor’s personal life has been marked by triumphs, including finding sobriety in the 1970s after battling alcoholism and speaking publicly about his recovery at a time when it was uncommon.

Now that he has reached triple digits, Van Dyke offered a new perspective on the characters he once played as older men.

He said, “You know, I played old men a lot, and I always played them as angry and cantankerous. It’s not really that way. I don’t know any other 100‑year‑olds, but I can speak for myself.”

He recently published a book titled \”100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life\”, in which he shares lessons drawn from a century of experiences.

Van Dyke credited his wife, 54‑year‑old makeup artist and producer Arlene Silver, with keeping him young, saying, “She gives me energy. She gives me humor, and all kinds of support.”

Born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, he grew up in Danville, Illinois, where he was known as the class clown and admired silent‑film comedians.

He recalled starting to act at about four or five years old in a Christmas pageant where he played baby Jesus, saying, “I made some kind of crack, I don’t know what I said, but it broke the congregation up, and I liked the sound of that laughter.”

At 100, Van Dyke admits the physical challenges: “I miss movement,” he told \”ABC News\”. “I’ve got one game leg from I don’t know what.”

Despite the limitations, he still tries to dance, adding with a laugh, “I still try to dance.”

With a century of life behind him, the actor jokes that the old adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is no longer relevant.

His reflections underscore a life lived with humor, resilience, and a commitment to staying active.

Key Takeaways

• He turned 100, celebrating in Malibu and reflecting on a career spanning film, television, and Broadway.
• He has earned multiple awards, including a Tony, Grammy, Primetime Emmys, and the most recent Daytime Emmy as the oldest winner.
• Van Dyke shares personal lessons on longevity, sobriety, and maintaining vitality, crediting his wife Arlene Silver and his new book.

As Van Dyke looks forward to the years ahead, he reminds us that a life of laughter, learning, and love can keep us vibrant well beyond a century.