Dick Van Dyke Reveals His Impressive Home Workout At Age 95

Jul 06, 2021 by apost team

Dick Van Dyke is a legendary actor, comedian, writer, singer, and dancer who has impressed audiences with his performances on film, television, and the stage. 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.

Van Dyke is also well-known for his role in the children's fantasy musical films "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." He was a memorable guest star on "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Columbo." Then from 1993 to 2001, Van Dyke starred in the television series "Diagnosis: Murder" where he played Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with his son. 

The incredible actor has also been the recipient of many accolades throughout his long career in Hollywood. He has received five Primetime Emmy Awards, one Tony, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995 and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2013, Van Dyke was the recipient of the Screen Actor Guild's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was just awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021. 

Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri. He grew up in Danville, Illinois, and is the son of Hazel Victoria and Loren Wayne "Cookie" Van Dyke. His mother was a stenographer, while his father was a salesman. 

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, and he decided to become a professional entertainer. Since he was a child, the actor has always loved to sing and dance.

Van Dyke is known for his physical comedic acting abilities, and CBS This Morning described him as elastic-limbed with impeccable timing. Van Dyke told the program, "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."

The actor's initial claim to fame was performing in "Bye Bye Birdie" on Broadway and then in the "Dick Van Dyke Show," but he is most well-known with younger audiences for appearing in "Mary Poppins." Van Dyke said that working for Walt Disney was wonderful, and the producer was very attentive. "Walt was there every day watching over it. Yeah, there was a spirit about it. Everybody was having such fun doing it," Van Dyke told CBS. 

Van Dyke has been very honest about his life, specifically his struggle with alcoholism. He spoke about the addiction on "The Dick Cavett Show" in 1974. "By the time I realized I was in trouble I was too deluded, like most alcoholics are, to understand what was wrong with me. I had friends who said, 'You're crazy.' But it seemed to — it seemed to help a lot of people. I got a lot of mail from people who said, 'You know, if you can do it, I can do it,'" Van Dyke told Cavett.

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Today, Van Dyke is 95 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, he took the crew into the backyard to show them how he does sit-ups.

While doing the sit-ups, Van Dyke said, "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 and his wife Arlene performed a song for the CBS crew while they were filming. "I knew I liked to perform, but I didn't know how much till this year. I'd do anything right now to get on the stage," Van Dyke shared during the interview. 

To Van Dyke, age is really just a number. In his memoir from 2016, "Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Living Well Longer," Van Dyke wrote, "If I am out shopping and hear music playing in a store, I start to dance. If I want to sing, I sing. I read books and get excited about new ideas. I enjoy myself. I don't think about the way I am supposed to act at my age — or at any age."

At 95, Van Dyke shows no signs of slowing down. "I'm looking forward to 100," he told CBS This Morning. "George Burns made it, and I'm gonna do it too." Hopefully, we get many more years with the beloved performer. 

Are you a fan of Van Dyke's work? Will you stay as active as him at 95? Let us know what you think, and don't forget to pass this story on to your loved ones.