Nearing 100, Dick Van Dyke Says the Secret to His Long Life Is Simple: ‘Never Stop Singing'

Audio By Carbonatix

Dick Van Dyke will be celebrating a significant milestone this year. On December 13th, the actor and entertainer will be turning 100 years old. And he has lived quite the life in those years. 

He was born Richard Wayne Van Dyke in West Plains, MO, on December 13, 1925. His brother, Jerry Van Dyke was also an entertainer, but passed away in 2018. 

The Actor Gained Popularity After Bye Bye Birdie

RELATED: Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home

Dick Van Dyke married his first wife, Margie Willett, in 1948, and the couple had four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth. They divorced in 1984. He then had a long-term relationship with Michelle Triola Marvin, who passed away in 2009. In 2012, at the age of 86, he married his current wife, Arlene Silver, and he has seven grandchildren.

Dick started to gain popularity after starring in the Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1960. That musical is also where he learned to sing and dance. "Chita (Rivera) was so sweet and nice, knowing that I didn't dance. She was patient. And she also helped me sing because I wasn't a singer either. I had to learn a lot fast," he shares.

Bert, the Chimeny Sweep is One of His Most Popular Roles

The actor's most popular roles were as Bert, the Cockney chimney sweep in Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, in 1964, and as Rob Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show, alongside Mary Tyler Moore, which premiered in 1961. He also revived his role from Mary Poppins in the 2018 film, Mary Poppins Returns. Overall, he has 83 acting credits on IMDB dating back to 1956. 

As his 100th birthday approaches, one can only wonder how he is feeling about this significant milestone. "I didn't expect to get past 80, at the most. The fun thing is, I don't know what I did, right? I have no idea," he shares about his long life.

Singing is the Best Thing You Can Do

He is and has been committed to staying active. He doesn’t sit still and dances with Arlene as often as he can, “I've always loved the old, soft shoe. It's just something about it, the old soft shoe, it flows. And my wife and I do it together,” he shares on TODAY.

In addition to dancing, he and his wife also sing together. Singing is, of course, still a big part of his life. Al Rocker of TODAY asks him what people ask him the most as he approaches his 100th birthday. “Why are you still walking around?” he answers. His answer to that question is never to stop singing. “Singing is the best thing you can do for yourself. Usually, I’ll wake up with an old tune going through my head,” he says. 

Dick Van Dyke Turns 100

When it comes to what his legacy might be, "The movies and the TV show kind of speak for me. I think it's about an attitude toward life, to look at the bright side,” the actor shares.

Happy Birthday, Dick Van Dyke! We wish you well and hope you have a fantastic time turning 100. Never stop singing!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dick Van Dyke Breaks Into Song With Quartet At Denny's And Performs 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'

WATCH: Dick Van Dyke is Turning 100 and Shares About His Life

LISTEN: Family and Friends Celebrate the Life of Woman Who Loved Deeply | Two-Year-Old Found By Volunteer and K-9 After She Wandered Off

h/t: TODAY

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/TODAY

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.