A Century Of Timeless Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 07: Dick Van Dyke, winner, poses at the 51st annual Daytime Emmys Awards at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles on June 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

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Today, the world celebrates a true legend: Dick Van Dyke turns 100. Few performers have left as indelible a mark on entertainment as Van Dyke, whose career spans seven decades across stage, screen, and television, delighting generations with his infectious energy and warmth.

From tripping over ottomans on The Dick Van Dyke Show and soaring across rooftops in Mary Poppins, to inventing wild contraptions in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and sleuthing with flair in Diagnosis: Murder, Van Dyke has been the ultimate entertainer. His signature dance moves, impeccable comedic timing, and unmistakable voice have cemented his status as a beloved icon of stage and screen, inspiring laughter and joy across generations.

On this milestone birthday, let’s take a stroll down memory lane — just watch the ottoman!—and celebrate the one, the only, Dick Van Dyke.

1. A Belated High School Graduate: Dick Van Dyke left high school during his senior year to join the United States Army Air Forces for pilot training during World War II. Initially denied enlistment for being underweight, he was eventually accepted as a radio announcer before transferring to Special Services, where he entertained troops across the United States. He was discharged in 1946, and nearly six decades later, in 2004, he received his high school diploma at age 79.

2. Radio DJ and Eric and Van—the Merry Mutes: In the late 1940s, Van Dyke worked as a radio DJ on WDAN in Danville, Illinois. In 1947, pantomime performer Phil Erickson convinced him to form a comedy duo called Eric and Van—the Merry Mutes. The pair toured the West Coast nightclub circuit, performing a mime act and lip-synching to records. In the early 1950s, they moved to Atlanta, where they appeared on a local television show featuring original skits and music, also called The Merry Mutes.

3. Early Start in Radio and TV: Van Dyke’s television debut was with WDSU-TV in New Orleans, first as a single comedian and later as emcee of a comedy program. Before becoming a household name, he also performed in radio in comedy programs like The Alan Freed Show, and he appeared in commercials and local TV.

4. Television Debut: Van Dyke stepped onto the national stage in 1954 with Dennis James on the talent show Chance of a Lifetime. He went on to appear in two episodes of The Phil Silvers Show during its 1957–58 season, as well as on ABC’s The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and NBC’s The Polly Bergen Show. Around this time, a friend from his Army days, then a CBS executive, recommended him to the network — landing Van Dyke a seven-year contract that would pave the way for his breakthrough into television stardom.

5. Broadway Premiere: In 1959, Van Dyke made debut on Broadway in the limited run musical The Girls Against the Boys, which also featured Shelley Berman, Bert Lahr and Nancy Walker.

6. Breakout Role: Rob Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show: At a time when more escapist sitcom fare was the norm, The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966) made Van Dyke a star, and setting the stage for future sitcom storytelling. He was not the first choice to play Rob Petrie. The character was initially conceived and played by the show’s creator, Carl Reiner, in an unsold 1960 pilot called Head of the Family.

7. Emmy Comes Calling – Six Times: Dick Van Dyke is the recipient of six Emmy Awards: four for as Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for The Dick Van Dyke Show, one for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series for Van Dyke and Company in 1977, and – in 2024 – Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series for Days of Our Lives.

8. Comedy Inspiration: Van Dyke has often cited Stan Laurel of the legendary duo Laurel and Hardy as one of his greatest comedic inspirations. He admired Laurel’s impeccable timing, expressive physical comedy, and ability to make audiences laugh through innocence and vulnerability rather than loud gags. The two became close friends.

9. Mary Poppins Acrobatics: In 1964, Van Dyke performed many of his own stunts in Mary Poppins, including dancing on rooftops and the famous chimney sweep sequences.

10. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”: In 1968, he played Caractacus Potts, an eccentric inventor, in the musical Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, showing off his knack for comedic timing and physical humor similar to his roles in Mary Poppins. He also did many of his own stunts, including pratfalls and daring interactions with the flying car.

11. We’re So Glad We Had This Time Together: Dick Van Dyke joined the 11th and final season of The Carol Burnett Show to replace the departing Harvey Korman, but he appeared in only 10 episodes. The decision was mutual — both Van Dyke and the producers agreed he wasn’t the right fit for the show’s established dynamic, and many sketches were still being written with Korman in mind.

12. Diagnosis: Murder: From 1993 to 2001, Van Dyke starred as Dr. Mark Sloan in Diagnosis Murder opposite his son Barry. The Murder, She Wrote-like series was a spinoff from William Conrad crime solver Jake and the Fatman.

As Dick Van Dyke turns 100, here’s to the man who taught us to dance on rooftops, laugh at ourselves, and never underestimate the magic of a well-timed pratfall. Happy 100th Birthday, Mr. Van Dyke — the world is brighter – and certainly funnier – because of you.