Dick Van Dyke, 97, Still Works Out And Credits His Wife Arlene Silver As His Ultimate Secret To Youthfulness

Feb 27, 2023 by apost team

Dick Van Dyke is a well-known man in the entertainment industry as he has a litany of wondrous talents that he's been sharing with the world since the late 1940s. In 1961, he starred in the original production of "Bye Bye Birdie," and the role earned him a Tony Award for best actor in a musical. That was also the year his series, "The Dick Van Dyke Show," first aired, and it would continue until 1966. This was the show that made the actor a household name.

As an actor, comedian, writer, singer and dancer, this award-winning entertainer has been unstoppable in paving the way for not only himself but up-and-coming rising stars. With memorable films like "Bye Bye Birdie," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Mary Poppins" under his belt, Van Dyke has become an icon in his field of work and has left many fans and critics happy and smiling with all of his great films and productions.

With a career spanning seven decades, it's no surprise that Van Dyke has won a handful of awards and has made a positive impact on others in the industry.

Van Dyke’s vitality and longevity in the industry made him a revered icon throughout Hollywood. His works in television, film and theater earned him various awards, including five Primetime Emmy Awards, one Tony and a Grammy Award. Additionally, Van Dyke was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. 

Most recently, he made television history on “The Masked Singer” as the oldest artist to have ever participated in the singing competition show. Asked by Yahoo Entertainment about his vitality, given his age, Van Dyke revealed his ultimate secret. 

Van Dyke was born on Dec. 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri. He grew up in Danville, Illinois, and is the son of Hazel Victoria and Loren Wayne Van Dyke. 

When he was young, Van Dyke first considered a career in ministry. However, he took a drama class in high school that made him fall in love with acting. Van Dyke then decided to become a professional entertainer, having always loved singing and dancing since he was a child. 

As a performer, Van Dyke is known for his physical comedic acting abilities, having been described as elastic-limbed with impeccable timing. 

“I had always been an admirer of Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. So as a kid I practiced falling. And I had worked it all out,” Van Dyke said on his characteristics. 

Today, Van Dyke is 97 and has been healthy and sober for years. The performer is still full of life and makes sure to keep up an active lifestyle. In his interview with "CBS This Morning" in June 2021, he took the crew into his backyard to show them how he does sit-ups.

"I'm 95, and a lot of my friends won't do these… So all you old guys out there, listen to me, I'm telling you: You can keep going for a long time — I'm still dancing! And singing!” Van Dyke told the outlet. 

Van Dyke proved that he's still got the moves and singing power when he was revealed to be the Gnome on the Season 9 Premiere of “The Masked Singer,” surprising everyone with a special performance. 

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The award-winning actor, Van Dyke, blew everyone away with his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “When You’re Smiling.” Upon his reveal, the judges, who include Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy, were surprised to see the TV icon back on stage. 

Reflecting on his brief TV comeback, Van Dyke spoke to Yahoo Entertainment after his now-viral performance. Asked about his secret to staying youthful, Van Dyke became candid on his ways to do it. 

“Genes, I guess, for one thing. Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me – that works! My positive attitude, I get that from my wife,” Van Dyke revealed. 

Van Dyke has been married to his current wife, Arlene Silver, since Feb. 29, 2012. The pair met six years prior at the SAG Awards. Van Dyke was 86 at the time, while Silver – a make-up artist – was 40.

For Valentine's Day in 2022, the happy couple celebrated their love by singing and dancing along to "Everybody Loves a Lover" by Doris Day. They uploaded a music video to Silver's YouTube channel. According to Classic Country Music, Silver sang Day's part while Van Dyke added some scat singing. They were also joined by The Vantastix. 

Speaking more to Yahoo, Van Dyke also credited exercise and physical activity as something that has kept him strong throughout the years.

“And one other thing is, I wrote a book called ‘Keep Moving,’ I still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I advise everybody to do that, because that's what ages people — it's just a stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and their lungs. Exercise is the answer,” the actor elaborated.

Are you a Dick Van Dyke fan? What do you think about Van Dyke’s secret to youthfulness? Isn’t he brilliant up until now at 97 years old? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other Dick Van Dyke fans!