Comedy icon Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday, hitting the century mark six decades after his famed performance alongside Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and his own television show.
In a heartfelt interview with ABC News from his Malibu, California, home, Van Dyke remarked, The funniest thing is, it’s not enough. 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. His notable performances include playing a Cockney chimney sweep in the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins and a detective on Diagnosis: Murder.
As a Tony Award-winning Broadway star from his role in Bye Bye Birdie, he also holds a Grammy and four Primetime Emmys. In 2022, he made history as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner for a guest role on Days of Our Lives.
Reflecting on aging, Van Dyke shared, I played old men a lot, and I always played them as angry and cantankerous. It’s not really that way. I can speak for myself.”
He also released a book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life, discussing the insights gleaned from his century and crediting his wife, 54-year-old Arlene Silver, for keeping his spirit youthful. She gives me energy, humor, and all kinds of support, he stated.
Born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, Van Dyke developed a love for performance early in life, recounting a memorable Christmas pageant role that ignited his comedic journey. As he embraces his age, he humorously admitted, “I miss movement. I’ve got one game leg... I still try to dance.”
