Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dick Van Dyke

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Dick Van Dyke

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dick Van Dyke made an impact.

Dick Van Dyke is a highly acclaimed American actor, entertainer, and comedian celebrated for his extensive career across film, television, and theater. His numerous accolades include six Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. He has received recognition through inductions into the Television Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as receiving the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and being named a Disney Legend.

1961: Won Tony Award for Bye Bye Birdie

In 1961, Dick Van Dyke won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in 'Bye Bye Birdie'.

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1963: Released Songs I Like album

In 1963, Dick Van Dyke released 'Songs I Like', which was his first solo album.

1964: Won Grammy Award for Mary Poppins

In 1964, Dick Van Dyke won a Grammy Award for Best Children's Album for 'Mary Poppins'.

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1977: Received Emmy Nomination

In 1977 Dick Van Dyke received his first Emmy Award nomination since the start of his career.

1982: Starred in 'The Country Girl' Remake

In 1982, Dick Van Dyke appeared in a made-for-cable remake of 'The Country Girl' alongside Faye Dunaway.

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1986: Played a murdering judge on Matlock

In 1986, Dick Van Dyke played an atypical role as a murdering judge on the second episode of the TV series 'Matlock' starring Andy Griffith.

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1987: Guest-starred on Airwolf with his son

In 1987, Dick Van Dyke guest-starred in an episode of 'Airwolf' alongside his son Barry Van Dyke, who was the lead star of the show's fourth and final season on USA Network.

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1987: Death of granddaughter Jessica Van Dyke

In 1987, Dick Van Dyke's granddaughter, Jessica Van Dyke, died from Reye syndrome, leading him to raise public awareness of the danger of aspirin to children.

1989: Guest-starred on The Golden Girls

In 1989, Dick Van Dyke guest-starred on the NBC comedy series 'The Golden Girls', portraying a lover of Beatrice Arthur's character, which earned him an Emmy Award nomination.

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1990: Played villainous role in Dick Tracy

In 1990, Dick Van Dyke played a small but villainous role as crooked DA Fletcher in Warren Beatty's film 'Dick Tracy'.

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1991: Became a computer animation enthusiast after buying an Amiga

In 1991, Dick Van Dyke became a computer animation enthusiast after purchasing an Amiga computer.

1993: Starred as Dr. Mark Sloan in Diagnosis: Murder

In 1993, Dick Van Dyke's role in 'Dick Tracy' led him to star as Dr. Mark Sloan in an episode of 'Jake and the Fatman', then in a series of TV movies on CBS that became the popular television drama 'Diagnosis: Murder'.

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September 2000: Started singing with "Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix"

Since September 2000, Dick Van Dyke has sung in a group called "Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix", performing several times in Los Angeles and on television.

2001: Diagnosis: Murder ended

In 2001, the television drama Diagnosis: Murder, starring Dick Van Dyke, ended after running since 1993.

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2003: Starred in The Gin Game and Scrubs

In 2003, Dick Van Dyke starred in a television production of 'The Gin Game' with Mary Tyler Moore and portrayed Doctor Doug Townshend on 'Scrubs'.

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2004: The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited Aired

In 2004, 'The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited,' a special of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', was heavily promoted but panned by critics, despite an Emmy nomination.

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2006: Appeared in Murder 101, Curious George, and Night at the Museum

In 2006, Dick Van Dyke guest-starred in 'Murder 101' mystery films, voiced Mr. Bloomsberry in 'Curious George', and played Cecil Fredericks in 'Night at the Museum'.

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2009: Cameo in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

In 2009, Dick Van Dyke reprised his role in a cameo for the sequel, 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian', though it was cut from the film but can be found in the special features on the DVD release.

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2010: Appeared on children's album Rhythm Train

In 2010, Dick Van Dyke appeared on a children's album titled 'Rhythm Train', with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and singer Leslie Bixler, rapping on one of the tracks.

2011: Published his memoir

In 2011, Dick Van Dyke published his memoir.

2014: Played Cecil Fredericks in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

In 2014, Dick Van Dyke played the character Cecil Fredericks again in the third film, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

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July 2016: Endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries

In July 2016, Dick Van Dyke endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries and expressed concerns about Donald Trump's potential to lead the US into war.

2017: Released album Step (Back) In Time

In 2017, Dick Van Dyke released his first solo album since 1963, titled 'Step (Back) In Time', produced by Bill Bixler and featuring classic songs from the 1920s-1940s.

2018: Portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. in Mary Poppins Returns

In 2018, Dick Van Dyke portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. in 'Mary Poppins Returns', having previously played both Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. in the original film, and he consulted on how to emulate 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' for 'WandaVision'.

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2020: Endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries

In 2020, Dick Van Dyke again endorsed and campaigned for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Party presidential primaries.

December 2024: Starred in Coldplay's All My Love music video

In December 2024, Dick Van Dyke starred in the music video for the Coldplay song "All My Love", which he also produced with his wife, Arlene Silver.

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2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for president

In 2024, Dick Van Dyke endorsed Kamala Harris for president in the U.S. presidential election.

2024: Won Daytime Emmy Award for Days of Our Lives

In 2024, at the age of 98, Dick Van Dyke received the award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series at the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance on 'Days of Our Lives', becoming the oldest person to win a Daytime Emmy.

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