Legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke has revealed his remarkable secret to longevity as he approaches his 100th birthday this December.
The beloved Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star attributes his long life to consciously avoiding two powerful emotions throughout his extraordinary career and personal life.
The Two Emotions Van Dyke Avoided
In a candid interview with People magazine, Van Dyke disclosed that steering clear of anger and hate has been fundamental to his survival. "I've always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person's insides - and hate," the actor confessed.
Despite acknowledging there have been "things I didn't like, people I don't like and disapprove of," Van Dyke emphasised he has "never really been able to work up a feeling of hate" or maintain that "white heat kind of hate" that consumes many people.
He firmly believes this positive outlook represents "one of the chief things that kept me going" throughout his nearly century-long life.
The Role of Love and Legacy
Van Dyke also credits much of his vitality to his wife Arlene, who at 54 is nearly half his age. In a health diary for The Times, he wrote: "Without question, our ongoing romance is the most important reason I have not withered away into a hermetic grouch."
He added that his younger wife "makes me feel somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters my age, which is still saying a lot" given he turns 100 on 13 December 2025.
Despite his remarkable energy, Van Dyke admits to feeling "diminished both physically and socially" as he approaches his milestone birthday. He revealed the poignant reality that "every single one of my dearest lifelong friends is gone, which feels just as lonely as it sounds."
Staying Active and Looking Forward
The nonagenarian remains remarkably productive, having recently released a new book titled 100 Rules For Living To 100. He explained that "each rule springs from a story in my own life, which I believe has stuck itself in my memory for a good reason - because it had some broader emotional significance for me."
Van Dyke's youthful spirit continues to shine through, with the actor stating: "I feel really good for 100. Sometimes I have more energy than others - but I never wake up in a bad mood. I feel like I'm about 13."
His career highlights include:
- Winning a Tony Award for Bye Bye Birdie
- Earning four Emmy Awards
- Receiving a Grammy for the Mary Poppins soundtrack
- Being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995
- Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Rather than personal recognition, Van Dyke finds comfort in the enduring joy his work brings to new generations. "But it's the music, the music we leave behind," he mused. "For as long as children are proudly belting out their new word, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, or singing and skipping along to Chim Chim Cher-ee, the most important part of me will always be alive."
Reflecting on his incredible journey spanning over seven decades in entertainment, Van Dyke summarises his life as "a wonderfully full and exciting life, that I can't complain" about - a testament to the power of maintaining a positive outlook and avoiding destructive emotions.
