Dick Van Dyke, the 98-year-old actor who made his debut network television appearance in 1954 on the talent show “Chance of a Lifetime,” believes his optimistic outlook on life contributes to his longevity.
“Attitude about life I think has a lot to do with it,” he said. “I’ve always looked at the good side, I guess, and I expected good things to happen.”
Although Mr. Van Dyke said he is somewhat perplexed by his longevity, he said another factor is probably regular exercise.
“I’ve often tried to think, ‘What did I do to live this long and I can’t figure out,” he said. “The only thing is I’ve always exercised. We still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I believe that’s the secret.”
“Most people at 98 years old don’t really feel like working out and they seize up, you know? You get stiff and I’m still, you know, move pretty well. And I think that must be the secret because I don’t really watch my diet or anything. Stayed skinny. That helps.”
Ms. Silver attested to Mr. Van Dyke’s jolly spirit, saying that the “Mary Poppins” icon encourages her to step out of her comfort zone.
“I’ve never met anyone like him,” she said. “He’s always happy and just positive. Always singing, and I would never sing in public. He got me to sing. He got me to sing up on a stage and sang in front of 1,500 people for the first time.”
“He’s just the most joyful person. He influences everybody else to be more joyful, playful,” she added.
The couple also addressed their 46-year age gap, which they say has not hindered their relationship.
“We were friends for so long that when I told people that I know, they were happy about [our relationship], and I was scared,” Ms. Silver shared. “I mean, the facts, our age difference. But it’s so irrelevant. I think when you see us together, it’s like you don’t think about it.”
“I was fortunate that I didn’t grow up,” Mr. Van Dyke added.
Mr. Van Dyke met Ms. Silver backstage at the SAG awards in 2006 and hired her after discovering she was a make-up artist. After a long friendship, Ms. Silver moved in with the “Dick Van Dyke Show” star in 2011 and they married the following year.
“I never approached a strange woman in my life,” Mr. Van Dyke recalled with Ms. Silver by his side. “And she walked by and I jumped and I said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ I had no idea she was half my age. Beautiful.”
Van Dyke’s Career
After making his Broadway debut in November 1959 in “The Girls Against the Boys,” Mr. Van Dyke secured the lead role of Albert Peterson in “Bye Bye Birdie.” The four-time Tony Award production earned him a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1961. He also starred in the 1963 movie adaptation of the musical.Mr. Van Dyke then moved to CBS, where he starred in “The Dick Van Dyke Show” from 1961 to 1966. The sitcom earned four Emmy Awards, while Mr. Van Dyke earned three as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
The actor was cast in another iconic role as Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. in Walt Disney’s 1964’s “Mary Poppins,” receiving a Grammy Award alongside Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins.
Mr. Van Dyke starred in the series “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” which premiered in 1971 and “Diagnosis: Murder,” which ran from 1993 to 2001. Viewers can find film appearances of the actor in “Curious George” (2006), “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009), and “Mary Poppins Returns” (2018), where he played Mr. Dawes Jr.
The Walt Disney legend has won six Emmys and a SAG Lifetime Achievement award and, in 2024, was the oldest person to earn a Daytime Emmy Award after winning Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series for the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”
