Dick Van Dyke is reaching a historic milestone: the beloved entertainer turns 100 years old on December 13. Known for his iconic roles in ‘Mary Poppins' (1964), ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’(1968), and ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ the Hollywood legend says giving up alcohol and cigarettes decades ago is a major reason he’s still thriving today.
He has long been open about his struggles with addiction, explaining on the ‘Really No Really’ podcast in October 2023 that he hoped sharing his story might help others facing similar challenges. Alongside sobriety, Van Dyke says staying active has been central to his physical and mental longevity—especially because it allows him to keep dancing, one of his lifelong passions.
The actor reflected on aging in a recent essay for The Times on November 13, writing that life increasingly feels like a “comedy of errors,” and that the ability to laugh at oneself is essential to getting through it. His mix of resilience, optimism, and discipline has kept him firmly in the spotlight long after many of his peers retired.
Remarkably, his career has now spanned more than seven decades—stretching from early radio in the 1940s to classic television and film in the 1960s and beyond. So, what have been the highlights on his long road to success? Click through and revisit the extraordinary longevity of Dick Van Dyke.