Today marks a special occasion: beloved actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke is turning 100! As he approaches this big birthday, he’s revealed some of the advice that’s helped him live a long and fulfilling life.
Born on December 13, 1925, the actor first became famous on stage before achieving widespread recognition in beloved films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which became classics for many children.
He became widely recognized after appearing in popular sitcoms like The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Just before turning one hundred years old, Van Dyke published his memoir, ‘100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life,’ last month.
The book shares stories, recollections, and life lessons from his time as a Hollywood star, offering helpful advice and wisdom along the way.
Although all one hundred pieces of advice are valuable and inspiring, showcasing a life filled with experience, the Daily Mail has selected ten key tips for living a long and happy life.
1. Don’t Act Your Age
One of Van Dyke’s best known roles was as the beloved chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins in 1965.
I’ve always been fascinated by Dick Van Dyke’s versatility! Most people remember his more famous role in that film, but I adore his portrayal of Mr. Dawes Sr. It’s incredible – he was only 38 when he played this really convincing, nasty old banker! He completely transformed himself.
Van Dyke was thrilled to take on a character so unlike himself in age and in attitude.
He wrote in his memoir that the only thing he had in common with the older players he used to know was the natural effects of aging. Thankfully, he felt completely different from them in every other way.
He encouraged those who are growing cranky and bitter regardless of age to do some self reflection.
He believed that no one is naturally unhappy. We aren’t born with a tendency to be gloomy, and everyone, regardless of their situation, has the potential to live a happy and meaningful life.
2. Make Christmas with what you’ve got
In the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dick Van Dyke starred as Caractacus Potts, a lovable and eccentric inventor.
Honestly, while everyone remembers him as practically perfect in Mary Poppins, I’ve always known his next film was a real struggle. It wasn’t the magic of that first role that followed him – it was long days, awful weather, and a lot of creative clashes with the director. It was a tough shoot, much harder than people realize!
Because his wife was ill, only his youngest son, Barry, was able to be with him when filming continued through the holidays.
In his book, he described how they rented a bare house with absolutely no Christmas decorations. They even cut down a wild, imperfect Christmas tree from the woods behind the property.
He wrote that even though things were difficult, everyone was committed to enjoying their vacation with what they had, and that’s what made it so memorable.
3. Tell Your Hardest Stories
I’ve always been a huge fan of Dick Van Dyke, and it’s fascinating to learn about what was going on in his life while he was filming ‘The Morning After’ – the movie that earned him an Emmy nomination. Apparently, he was really battling some inner struggles at the time, and it must have been incredibly difficult to pour himself into that role while dealing with personal issues.
The film centered on a public relations professional whose life was destroyed by alcohol abuse. While preparing for the part, actor Dick Van Dyke found himself recalling his own struggles with alcoholism.
In his book, he detailed battling addiction for many years as the pressure of Hollywood increased.
In the late 1960s, Van Dyke sought help for his addiction through group therapy, various treatments, and even a stay in the hospital.
After watching the film, he chose to reveal his secret addiction first to a reporter he trusted, and then to the wider public.
It wasn’t surprising, but when the seemingly perfect Mr. Goody Two-shoes bravely shared his struggle with addiction, people were definitely shocked. What was amazing was the outpouring of support he received. Messages flooded in from friends, family, and even fans who understood, because they’d been touched by alcoholism themselves. It just goes to show you, nobody is immune, and sharing your truth can create a powerful connection.
He explained that telling our own stories puts us in control. And when we share those stories, even with close loved ones, we’re actually supporting each other’s well-being and resilience.
4. You will not be alone
Van Dyke’s oldest daughter, Stacy, passed away in 2017, and the loss was so devastating he couldn’t bring himself to write about it in his memoir.
He explained that she held a ‘supremely special place’ in his heart.
Despite all the sadness and loss I feel, Stacy brings me joy and happiness in my dreams,” he wrote.
She’s here, with me, and somehow brings me peace – it feels like a miracle. We’ve reconnected and are together now.
His first granddaughter sadly died in 1987 after taking four aspirin for a fever, which led to a rare and deadly condition called Reye’s syndrome.
He wrote that he believes those who have passed on are safe and surrounded by each other. He also expressed hope that they would welcome him when it’s his time to go.
5. Stay on the phone
In the early 1960s, Van Dyke received a surprise phone call from his friend, the famous actor Cary Grant, who wanted to talk about his experiences with LSD.
Grant and Van Dyke first became acquainted in 1960 after Grant attended a performance of Bye Bye Birdie. Van Dyke was a leading actor in the original Broadway production and received a Tony Award for his performance.
During the hour-long conversation, Grant described the profound insights he’d gained through guided psychedelic experiences.
Between ‘metaphysical’ ramblings, Van Dyke noticed something deeper in Grant’s tone.
‘What struck me wasn’t so much his words, but what was underneath them,’ Van Dyke wrote.
His voice sounded troubled and desperate, a stark contrast to the cheerful, witty man I believed him to be. I realized he was struggling, so I simply continued to listen.
He didn’t understand why his friend started calling, or why they eventually stopped, but he felt obligated to answer the phone and listen anyway.
He admitted he didn’t offer any solutions to the man’s problems, but he also didn’t cut the conversation short. He simply listened – a quiet, supportive role that, while not exciting, was still valuable.
6. Write it down
Dick Van Dyke became widely known for starring in The Dick Van Dyke Show, a beloved sitcom that originally aired from 1961 to 1966. The show was a critical success, earning numerous Emmy Awards.
Van Dyke recalled one crew member that made a lasting impact: Marge Mullen, the script advisor.
Mullen was a dedicated note-taker, carefully recording everything from the producers’ suggestions to jokes shared by the cast. She always used a pen and paper to jot things down.
Mullen turned it into an SOS (Some Other Show) book to keep ideas that didn’t make the cut.
The notes from past projects were a huge help whenever they felt stuck and couldn’t come up with something new. Even now, Van Dyke regrets not having kept his own collection of helpful reminders.
According to Van Dyke, if we all kept a list of our biggest dreams and goals – things that could really change our lives – we’d be more likely to achieve them.
7. Live with regrets
Dick Van Dyke first met his wife, Margie Willet, when they were both teenagers growing up in Illinois. They married in 1948, before Van Dyke became famous, and remained together for 36 years.
The couple had four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth.
In his memoir, Van Dyke recalled striving to provide his children with an upbringing filled with ‘adventure and joy,’ intentionally raising them differently than he was raised by his own father.
Even though Van Dyke feels proud of being a father, he still wishes he hadn’t worked so much and worried about missing out on time with his children.
Now he has seven grandchildren and wrote that his regret may have served them well.
He admitted his children were better parents than he had been. He was glad to see them so involved in their children’s lives, which eased any regrets he might have had and filled him with pride.
8. Believe in fate
Dick Van Dyke first met his wife, Arlene Silver, in 2007 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. She was working as a makeup artist backstage, and he was 81 years old while she was 38.
Both chalked their meeting and subsequent relationship up to fate.
Van Dyke asked Silver for her contact information, and later described feeling an irresistible, almost supernatural pull towards her.
‘Stay tuned: there’s more to come in the story of our friendship and eventual romance,’ he wrote.
What really stands out about our first meeting is that we both felt an instant connection, like it was meant to be.
After being friends for many years, and feeling like it was meant to be, they got married in a small, private ceremony in 2012 and have been happily together ever since.
9. Find the new you inside the old you
Dick Van Dyke has said that learning magic tricks first sparked his interest in performing, eventually leading to a career in comedy. He was raised in Illinois during the Great Depression alongside his brother, Jerry Van Dyke.
He saw his first magic show when he was little and quickly began to experiment with slight of hand.
He got new magic sets for Christmas almost every year, and he even showed off his skills by performing at the local Kiwanis club.
As a teenager, he performed a trick at his school talent show, but it didn’t go well. The eggs he was using rolled off the table and broke, ruining the performance.
‘In failing at magic, I found the role of a lifetime,’ he explained in his book.
As the crowd laughed at his failure, Van Dyke became a new version of himself.
Acting on impulse, I allowed this new side of myself to emerge. Most people would have felt ashamed and retreated, but I didn’t.
I simply bowed deeply and walked off stage with confidence, pretending everything was perfect.
10. Remain anonymous
While filming his TV show, Diagnosis: Murder, Dick Van Dyke and his son Barry were relaxing outside the set as the crew prepared the lighting and equipment.
The two shared the screen on the drama from 1993 to 2001.
People would occasionally drive by the set and honk or wave at him.
He recounted an odd encounter where someone shouted his name, seemingly confirming he was the famous actor he was. But instead of a friendly greeting, the man surprisingly responded with an expletive.
We were speechless for a moment, then burst out laughing. We’ve honestly never laughed that much before. It seems not everyone shares our sense of humor, he added.
Van Dyke attributed his longevity not only to his insightful advice, but also to a joyful and active lifestyle, consistent exercise, and abstaining from both smoking and alcohol.
Even as he approached his 100th birthday, he told Good Morning America that he doesn’t feel like he’s lived long enough.
‘You want to live more,’ he said. ‘Which I plan to!’
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2025-12-13 16:52