History of Dick Van Dyke in Timeline
Richard Wayne Van Dyke is a highly celebrated American actor and comedian with a career spanning over seven decades. He is known for his work in film, television, and stage, earning numerous accolades including a Golden Globe, Tony, Grammy, Daytime Emmy, and four Primetime Emmys. His contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized through inductions into the Television Hall of Fame and Hollywood Walk of Fame, along with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and Disney Legend designation.
December 13, 1925: Birth of Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925.
1944: High School Years and Interest in Entertainment
Dick Van Dyke's passion for entertainment blossomed during his time at Danville High School in 1944, where he actively participated in the a cappella choir and dramatic club.
1946: Military Service Ends
Dick Van Dyke was discharged from the United States Army Air Forces in 1946 after serving during World War II.
1947: Formation of "Eric and Van—the Merry Mutes"
In 1947, Dick Van Dyke teamed up with Phil Erickson to form the comedy duo "Eric and Van—the Merry Mutes."
February 12, 1948: Marriage to Margerie Willett
Dick Van Dyke married Margerie Willett on February 12, 1948, on the radio show "Bride and Groom." The couple had four children together: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth.
1954: First Network TV Appearance
Dick Van Dyke made his first network television appearance on "James' Chance of a Lifetime" in 1954.
1957: Appearance in "The Phil Silvers Show"
Dick Van Dyke appeared in two episodes of "The Phil Silvers Show" during its 1957–1958 season.
November 14, 1959: "The Girls Against the Boys" Closes on Broadway
The Broadway production "The Girls Against the Boys," featuring Dick Van Dyke, closed on November 14, 1959.
November 1959: Broadway Debut in "The Girls Against the Boys"
Dick Van Dyke made his Broadway debut in November 1959 with the revue "The Girls Against the Boys."
April 14, 1960: "Bye Bye Birdie" Opens on Broadway
The musical "Bye Bye Birdie," starring Dick Van Dyke, opened on Broadway on April 14, 1960.
1960: "Bye Bye Birdie" Broadway Debut
Dick Van Dyke made his Broadway debut in 1960 with the musical "Bye Bye Birdie".
October 7, 1961: "Bye Bye Birdie" Closes on Broadway
The Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie" closed on October 7, 1961.
1961: Premiere of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"
"The Dick Van Dyke Show" premiered in 1961, starring Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie.
1961: Tony Award for "Bye Bye Birdie"
Dick Van Dyke's performance in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" earned him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1961.
1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" Premieres
Dick Van Dyke's iconic sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show," premiered in 1961, marking a significant milestone in his television career.
1963: "Bye Bye Birdie" Film Adaptation
The film adaptation of "Bye Bye Birdie" was released in 1963, starring Dick Van Dyke.
1963: "Bye Bye Birdie" Film Adaptation
The film adaptation of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie," featuring Dick Van Dyke, was released in 1963.
1964: Grammy Award for Mary Poppins
Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews were honored with a Grammy Award in 1964 for their exceptional performance on the soundtrack of the film "Mary Poppins."
1964: Release of "Mary Poppins"
Dick Van Dyke starred in the classic musical film "Mary Poppins," released in 1964.
1964: Kennedy Center Honors Performances
During the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in 2021, several performances paid tribute to Dick Van Dyke's career, including renditions of songs from "Mary Poppins" and "Bye Bye Birdie."
1964: Grammy Award for "Mary Poppins"
His contribution to "Mary Poppins" earned Dick Van Dyke a Grammy Award for Best Children's Album in 1964.
1964: Dual Role in Mary Poppins
In 1964, Dick Van Dyke took on two distinct roles in Walt Disney's musical fantasy, "Mary Poppins." He portrayed Bert, a jack-of-all-trades who memorably becomes a chimney sweep, and Mr. Dawes Senior, the elderly bank chairman. While his cockney accent as Bert has been criticized, the film remains a beloved classic.
1965: Ownership of KXIV Radio Station
From 1965 to 1982, Dick Van Dyke held a principal role in "KXIV Inc." and owned the 1400 AM KXIV radio station in Phoenix.
1966: Conclusion of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"
"The Dick Van Dyke Show" aired its final episode in 1966.
1966: Conclusion of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"
After a successful run, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" concluded in 1966.
1968: Turning Down James Bond
Dick Van Dyke revealed that he declined an offer to play James Bond, replacing Sean Connery, in 1968. He humorously attributed his refusal to his British accent.
1968: Release of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
Dick Van Dyke starred in the musical film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," which was released in 1968.
1968: Starring in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
In 1968, Dick Van Dyke starred as Caractacus Potts in the musical adaptation of Ian Fleming's "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." He insisted on using his native accent for the role, despite the film's English setting.
1969: "The Comic" is Released
Dick Van Dyke starred in the comedy-drama film "The Comic" in 1969.
1969: The Comic and Cold Turkey
Dick Van Dyke starred in two films in 1969: "The Comic," a comedy-drama directed by Carl Reiner, where he portrayed a self-destructive silent film comedian, and "Cold Turkey," released in 1971, where he played a minister leading his town in a smoking cessation challenge.
1970: Publication of Faith, Hope and Hilarity
In 1970, Dick Van Dyke authored and published a book titled "Faith, Hope and Hilarity: A Child's Eye View of Religion," drawing humor from his experiences teaching Sunday School.
1971: Starring in The New Dick Van Dyke Show
Dick Van Dyke returned to television with "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," which aired from 1971 to 1974. He portrayed a local talk show host and received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
1971: "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" Premieres
"The New Dick Van Dyke Show" premiered in 1971, starring Dick Van Dyke.
1971: Release of Cold Turkey
"Cold Turkey", a comedy film starring Dick Van Dyke as a small-town minister leading a smoking cessation challenge, was released in 1971.
1972: Treatment for Alcoholism
Dick Van Dyke's battle with alcoholism led him to seek treatment in 1972 when he checked himself into a hospital for three weeks to address his addiction.
October 27, 1973: Voice Acting in Scooby-Doo
Dick Van Dyke lent his voice to an animated version of himself in the "Scooby-Doo Meets Dick Van Dyke" episode of Hanna-Barbera's "The New Scooby-Doo Movies." The episode aired on October 27, 1973.
1974: Guest Appearance on "Columbo"
Dick Van Dyke made a guest appearance on the television show "Columbo" in 1974.
1974: Emmy Nomination and Guest Appearance
Dick Van Dyke received an Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of an alcoholic businessman in the television movie "The Morning After" in 1974. The same year, he guest-starred as a murderous photographer in an episode of "Columbo" titled "Negative Reaction."
1976: Van Dyke and Company and Emmy Win
Dick Van Dyke returned to comedy in 1976 with the sketch comedy show "Van Dyke and Company." Though short-lived, the show earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Series. Notably, it marked Andy Kaufman's prime-time debut.
1976: Relationship with Michelle Triola Marvin
Dick Van Dyke's relationship with Michelle Triola Marvin began in 1976. They lived together for over three decades until her passing in 2009.
1977: Guest Appearance on "The Carol Burnett Show"
Dick Van Dyke appeared as a guest on "The Carol Burnett Show" in 1977.
1977: Joining The Carol Burnett Show
Dick Van Dyke became a regular cast member on "The Carol Burnett Show" in the fall of 1977, though his appearances were limited to half of the final season's episodes.
1977: Previous Emmy Nomination
Prior to his 1989 nomination for "The Golden Girls," Dick Van Dyke's last Emmy nomination was in 1977.
1980: The Music Man Performance
Dick Van Dyke took on the titular role in a production of the musical "The Music Man" in 1980.
1982: The Country Girl Remake
Dick Van Dyke starred in a made-for-cable remake of the musical "The Country Girl" alongside Faye Dunaway in 1982.
1982: Selling KXIV Radio Station
Dick Van Dyke sold the 1400 AM KXIV radio station in Phoenix in 1982 after owning it since 1965.
1984: Divorce from Margerie Willett
Following a long separation, Dick Van Dyke and Margerie Willett divorced in 1984 after many years of marriage.
1986: Guest Role on Matlock
Taking a departure from his usual amiable roles, Dick Van Dyke portrayed a murderous judge in an episode of the television series "Matlock" in 1986. The series starred Andy Griffith.
1987: Airwolf Appearance with Son
Dick Van Dyke made a guest appearance on the television series "Airwolf" in 1987, sharing the screen with his son, Barry Van Dyke, who was a lead star in the show's final season.
1987: Loss of Granddaughter Jessica and Public Awareness Campaign
Tragedy struck Dick Van Dyke's family in 1987 when his granddaughter, Jessica Van Dyke, died from Reye syndrome. This profound loss led him to participate in a series of public service announcements, raising awareness about the potential dangers of aspirin for children.
1989: Emmy-Nominated Role on The Golden Girls
Dick Van Dyke guest-starred on the NBC comedy series "The Golden Girls" in 1989, portraying a love interest of Beatrice Arthur's character. His performance garnered him an Emmy Award nomination, his first since 1977.
1990: Appearance in "Dick Tracy"
Dick Van Dyke appeared in the film "Dick Tracy" in 1990.
1990: Dick Tracy and Dream Role Revelation
In 1990, Dick Van Dyke portrayed the villainous D.A. Fletcher in Warren Beatty's film "Dick Tracy." Around this time, he revealed on "Larry King Live" that he declined the lead role in "The Omen" and that his dream role was the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz."
1991: Venturing into Computer Animation
Dick Van Dyke developed a passion for computer animation in 1991 after purchasing an Amiga computer. He even contributed 3D-rendered effects to "Diagnosis: Murder" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited."
1993: Diagnosis: Murder Premiere
"Diagnosis: Murder," a television drama series starring Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, premiered in 1993. The series, which ran until 2001, was inspired by his guest appearances as the character on "Jake and the Fatman."
1993: "Diagnosis: Murder" Premieres
"Diagnosis: Murder," a television series starring Dick Van Dyke, premiered in 1993.
1995: Induction into the Television Hall of Fame
In 1995, Dick Van Dyke was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
1998: Disney Legend Award
In recognition of his significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company, Dick Van Dyke was honored as a Disney Legend in 1998. Following the death of Glynis Johns, he became the oldest living recipient of this prestigious award.
1999: Honorary Membership in Barbershop Harmony Society
Dick Van Dyke was recognized for his love of a cappella singing with an honorary membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1999.
September 2000: Formation of Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix
Dick Van Dyke, a longtime a cappella enthusiast, formed the quartet "Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix" in September 2000. The group has performed extensively, including appearances on television and at Los Angeles Lakers games.
2001: End of Diagnosis: Murder
Dick Van Dyke's television series "Diagnosis: Murder" concluded in 2001 after an eight-season run. His son, Barry Van Dyke, co-starred in the series as Dr. Sloan's son.
2001: End of "Diagnosis: Murder"
The television series "Diagnosis: Murder" concluded in 2001.
2003: The Gin Game and Scrubs
In 2003, Dick Van Dyke starred in a television production of "The Gin Game" alongside Mary Tyler Moore, which was critically acclaimed. He also took on the role of Doctor Doug Townshend in the medical comedy-drama series "Scrubs" in 2003.
2003: Empire Magazine's Accent Poll
In 2003, Dick Van Dyke's attempt at a cockney accent in "Mary Poppins" was ranked second in Empire magazine's poll of the worst-ever film accents.
2004: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" Reunion
A reunion special for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" aired on CBS in 2004, featuring surviving cast members and hosted by Ray Romano.
2004: The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited
A special episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" titled "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited" aired in 2004, marking the first new episode in 38 years. While highly anticipated, the special received negative reviews despite being nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
2004: Receives High School Diploma
Dick Van Dyke received his high school diploma in 2004.
2006: "Murder 101" and "Curious George" Premiere
Dick Van Dyke starred in the television series "Murder 101" and provided his voice for the animated film "Curious George," both of which premiered in 2006.
2006: Curious George, Night at the Museum, and Murder 101
Dick Van Dyke returned to film in 2006, lending his voice to "Curious George" as Mr. Bloomsberry and playing the villain Cecil Fredericks in "Night at the Museum." He also began starring in the "Murder 101" mystery film series on the Hallmark Channel.
2009: Death of Michelle Triola Marvin
Michelle Triola Marvin, Dick Van Dyke's longtime partner of over 30 years, passed away in 2009.
2009: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Although his cameo in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" was cut from the theatrical release, it was included in the DVD's special features.
2010: Rhythm Train
Dick Van Dyke showcased his versatility by rapping on a children's album titled "Rhythm Train" in 2010, collaborating with Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers and singer Leslie Bixler.
February 29, 2012: Marriage to Arlene Silver
At the age of 86, Dick Van Dyke married makeup artist Arlene Silver on February 29, 2012, whom he had met six years prior at the SAG awards.
2012: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Dick Van Dyke received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.
2012: Blu-ray Release and Review of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"
The Dick Van Dyke Show" was released on Blu-ray in 2012, receiving positive reviews from critics such as Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly.
January 2013: Public Disclosure of Smoking Cessation Efforts
In a candid interview with London's "The Daily Telegraph" in January 2013, Dick Van Dyke revealed his long-term struggle with smoking and shared that he had been using Nicorette gum for a decade in an attempt to quit.
April 2013: Undiagnosed Neurological Condition
Dick Van Dyke openly discussed experiencing symptoms of an undiagnosed neurological disorder in April 2013. He described a persistent pounding sensation in his head while lying down, which led to fatigue and the cancellation of appearances due to lack of sleep.
May 2013: Speculation about Titanium Dental Implants
In May 2013, Dick Van Dyke shared on Twitter his suspicion that his titanium dental implants might be contributing to the neurological symptoms he had been experiencing.
August 19, 2013: Car Fire Rescue
On August 19, 2013, Dick Van Dyke was dramatically rescued from his burning Jaguar by a passerby on the US 101 freeway in Calabasas, Los Angeles County. Thankfully, he escaped the incident without injuries.
2013: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
In 2013, Dick Van Dyke was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
2013: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
Dick Van Dyke's illustrious acting career was celebrated in 2013 when he received the prestigious Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
2014: "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"
Dick Van Dyke appeared in "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," released in 2014.
2014: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Dick Van Dyke reprised his role as Cecil Fredericks in the third installment of the "Night at the Museum" franchise, "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb."
July 2016: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders and Concerns about Donald Trump
Dick Van Dyke publicly endorsed Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Expressing concern over the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency, he voiced his fear, comparing it to the anxiety felt during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
2017: Step (Back) In Time and "We're Going Caroling"
Marking his return to music, Dick Van Dyke released his first solo album since 1963, titled "Step (Back) In Time." This jazz and big band album featured classic songs from the 1920s-1940s. He also released a Christmas duet single, "We're Going Caroling," with actress Jane Lynch.
2018: "Mary Poppins Returns"
Dick Van Dyke reprised his role in the sequel "Mary Poppins Returns," released in 2018.
2018: Mary Poppins Returns and WandaVision Consultation
In a heartwarming link to his past role, Dick Van Dyke portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. in "Mary Poppins Returns." Notably, he had previously played both Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. in the original film. Adding a behind-the-scenes contribution, he consulted on the Marvel series "WandaVision," advising on how to recreate the style of "The Dick Van Dyke Show."
2020: Renewed Support for Bernie Sanders
Dick Van Dyke continued to support Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, demonstrating his commitment to Sanders' political campaign.
2021: Kennedy Center Honors
Dick Van Dyke received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021.
2021: Kennedy Center Honors
Dick Van Dyke received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021. The ceremony featured tributes from prominent figures in entertainment, including Julie Andrews, Steve Martin, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as performances in his honor.
December 21, 2023: The Masked Singer, Days of Our Lives, and 98th Birthday Special
In a testament to his enduring legacy, Dick Van Dyke, at 97, became the oldest contestant on "The Masked Singer." His unmasking in season nine received a standing ovation. Furthermore, he was slated to guest-star in "Days of Our Lives" and was honored with a CBS special, "Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic," celebrating his 98th birthday.