Beloved Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke is poised to celebrate a monumental milestone, sharing candid thoughts on his mortality and the full life that has brought him to the cusp of his 100th birthday.
A Century of Life: Reflections and Gratitude
The star, who turns 100 on December 13, spoke openly with People magazine about the approach of his centennial. Dick Van Dyke addressed the subject of his own mortality with characteristic grace and humour. "The end of my life is so much closer," he acknowledged. "When you expire, you expire. I don’t have any fear of death for some reason. I can’t explain that but I don't."
He credits this peaceful outlook to a life well-lived. "I’ve had such a wonderfully full and exciting life. That I can’t complain," Van Dyke stated. As he approaches his centennial birthday, his primary feeling is one of accomplishment. "The fact that I made it," he said, summarising his journey. "I feel really good for 100. Sometimes I have more energy than others — but I never wake up in a bad mood."
The Secrets to a Long and Happy Life
When asked about his secrets to longevity, the Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang legend points to his innate optimism and conscious avoidance of negative emotions. "People say 'What did you do right?' I don’t know. I’m rather lazy," he joked. "I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides — and hate. And I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate. I think that is one of the chief things that kept me going."
He elaborated that while there are things and people he dislikes, he never allows those feelings to consume him. Reflecting on his father, Loren Van Dyke, who passed away at 73, Van Dyke noted that his father's constant upset with the state of things likely impacted his lifespan.
Another crucial element to his vitality is his wife, Arlene Silver, 54. The actor married Silver in 2012 and has often credited her with his happiness. "She's responsible for keeping me in the moment," he revealed. "She kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She's a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility ... I'm just lucky." He has previously called marrying her the only thing he did "right."
Staying Active and Embracing Humour
Despite his self-deprecating remark that he should have "taken better care" of himself, Van Dyke maintains an active lifestyle. He still frequents the gym three days a week, a fact recently highlighted by fellow actor Rick Springfield, who shared a photo of the 99-year-old working out and even doing a "little dance step" between machines.
His sharp wit remains fully intact. At a recent event, he quipped about his impending birthday: "That's right. I'm not officially 100 until December. Two months. It'd be funny if I didn't make it." He treated fans to performances of classics like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and the theme from The Dick Van Dyke Show.
However, living to nearly 100 is not without its sorrows. Van Dyke reflected on the many friends he has outlived, including plans for an Odd Couple remake with the late Ed Asner. His wife, Arlene, aptly noted, "He's outlived everybody. That's the curse of living to almost 100."
As the countdown to his centennial birthday continues, Dick Van Dyke stands as a testament to a life filled with joy, love, and an unwavering positive spirit, offering an inspiring blueprint for growing older with grace and humour.
