Dick Van Dyke has opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian.
The 99-year-old legendary filmmaker — who recently remarked on his 46-year age gap with wife Arlene Van Dyke — reflected on his long life during a Q&A at their Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event.
During the conversation, Dick revealed he and his late friend Ed Asner had planned to do a remake of The Odd Couple before his death at age 91 in August 2021.
‘That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,’ the actor noted, according to an account from People.
His 53-year-old wife added, ‘He’s outlived everybody. That’s the curse of living to almost 100.’
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Dick Van Dyke has opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian; pictured April 21
The 99-year-old legendary filmmaker – who recently remarked on his 46-year age gap with wife Arlene Van Dyke – reflected on his long life during a Q&A at their Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event
When asked by his significant other what the secret to remaining positive is despite his losses, he answered, ‘Well, life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.’
Dick, who turns 100 in December, said he continues to perform at his age because it energizes him.
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‘I’m a ham. I love it. I get a jolt of energy from an audience,’ the star told People at the Malibu, California gathering.
While there, he performed live with his musical group, the barbershop quartet The Vantastix.
He also highlighted his role as Albert Peterson in Broadway’s Bye Bye Birdie from April 1960 to October 1961.
‘[It’s] the one that got me off the ground,’ Van Dyke explained. ‘It was the biggest thrill. And I got a Tony [Award] later.’
He went on to reprise the role in the 1963 movie adaptation while simultaneously starring in his self-titled sitcom.
On The Dick Van Dyke Show, the Hollywood hot commodity played played a comedy writer named Rob Petrie for five years.
During the conversation, Dick revealed he and his late friend Ed Asner had planned to do a remake of The Odd Couple before his death at age 91 in August 2021. ‘That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,’ the actor noted; Asner pictured in January 2020
His 53-year-old wife added, ‘He’s outlived everybody. That’s the curse of living to almost 100’
Dick pictured with Julie Andrews in a scene from the 1964 classic film Mary Poppins
The success of the show led to him being cast in dual roles — chimney sweeper Bert and bank chairman Mr. Dawes Sr. — for 1964’s Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews.
He reflected about working with Andrews, now 89, ‘I’m not a real singer, so I tend to be under, fighting to get up there and sing on top of the note. Just took me forever in the recording.
‘[Andrews] was just patient as could be and kept helping me, saying, “Think high. Think up there.”‘
He added, ‘And it turned out great. She was wonderful. We had a wonderful time together.’