Dick Van Dyke Celebrates 100th Birthday, Reflects on Legacy

Comedy icon Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday, reaching the century mark over six decades after starring alongside Julie Andrews in the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins and headlining his self-titled sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show, which aired from 1961 to 1966 on CBS.

In an interview with ABC News at his Malibu, California home, Van Dyke humorously stated, 'A hundred years is not enough. You want to live more, which I plan to.' As part of the birthday celebration, theaters across the country are screening a new documentary titled Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration.

Van Dyke's career highlights include winning a Tony Award for Bye Bye Birdie and becoming the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy last year for his guest role on Days of Our Lives. Reflecting on aging, he noted that playing older characters was often depicted as angry and cantankerous, a portrayal he finds inaccurate based on his own experience.

Van Dyke credited his 54-year-old wife, makeup artist and producer Arlene Silver, with keeping him youthful, stating, 'She gives me energy. She gives me humor, and all kinds of support.' Born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, Van Dyke began acting at a young age and quickly discovered his talent for comedy.

Despite turning 100, he expressed a desire to continue dancing, though he admitted to having some mobility challenges. He also shared insights from his book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimists Guide to a Happy Life, which offers wisdom on reaching this significant milestone.