Dick Van Dyke is going strong at 97.
The generous actor has been known to give money and coats to the needy.
Having previous health scares, he tries to keep himself fit and healthy through exercise.
Dick Van Dyke is a celebrated television, stage, and film actor. For his work in the entertainment industry, he has received a Tony, a Grammy, and five Primetime Emmy Awards and was honored by the Kennedy Center in May 2021.
Born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, Van Dyke had a natural talent for entertaining people. Over the years, the actor has dabbled in various genres, from vaudeville to nightclub shows to radio. But the masses know him more from his work in television and movies.
His milestone performances include “Bye, Bye Birdie,” which took the public by storm on the stage from 1960 to 1961 and in a film adaptation two years later. In it, he sang “Put On a Happy Face,” which became a fan favorite. Speaking about how he got the song, thanks to his co-star Chita Rivera, the actor explained:
“And Chita said, ‘You know, Dick doesn’t have anything to do in the first act. Why don’t you give it to him?’ And my life changed, right there.”
He then starred in the sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” from 1961 to 1966. Next was his portrayal of Bert the chimney sweep in the 1964 musical “Mary Poppins” opposite Julie Andrews. He also gained popularity for the 1996 film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
At 97 years old, the actor has made an effort to keep his body fit. His regimen includes a series of workouts to strengthen various parts of his body, especially his abdominal muscles, legs, and arms. He went as far as to demonstrate how he does it, challenging fellow “old guys” to do the same.
As a young actor, he fell victim to the vices that plague some in the business, and sadly many do not survive them.
Not only is he sound in body, but the “Diagnosis Murder” actor has also kept his craft alive. He is still able to dance and sing as he did in his heyday. His talents were displayed in the recent film “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel Miranda.
When offered a choice among three dance routines, he chose the most challenging one just to prove that he could do it at 92. And the actor has no plans of fading away. He is determined to reach that century mark. Referring to his fellow actor and comedian who lived to be 100, the nonagenarian said:
“George Burns made it. And I’m gonna make it too.”
Van Dyke has shown that his musical prowess is intact, singing with his wife, Arlene Silver. In a video released on Valentine’s Day, they gave a sweet rendition of Doris Day’s “Everybody Loves a Lover,” originally performed in 1958.
The actor is also known for having a kind and generous heart. He frequently visits the Malibu Community Labor Exchange, which is an organization that connects people looking for work with employers. Not only did he chat with the homeless, but he also handed out money to help them out.
Even the challenging seasons and roles, or the projects that had a less-than-glowing reception by critics and audiences, all served to make him into the actor and man he is.
A few weeks later, Van Dyke, who employees have called an “angel of God,” was spotted at the same charitable foundation dropping off dozens of winter coats. He bought the red plaid jackets to be handed out to those who didn’t have something warm to shield them from the cold.
However, the actor has not always been health conscious. When he was younger, he fell victim to the vices that plague some in the business, and sadly many do not survive them. The challenges he faced with his health inspired him to change. Having lived to a ripe old age, he said:
“Had I known I’d live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”
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Author: awestories24.com
