Dick Van Dyke, 98, Says He's 'Not Afraid' of Dying

[TMC]

https://people.com/dick-van-dyke-98-...-dying-8757208

By Esther Kang

Dick Van Dyke knows he won't be around forever, but when death comes, he won't be afraid.

The legendary entertainer, 98, stars in Coldplay's latest music video for their song, "All My Love," and takes fans into his Malibu home where he talks about the lessons he's learned about love, family and life.

The video begins with Van Dyke walking out into his backyard where Coldplay's front man, Chris Martin, sits at a piano and breaks into song.

Alongside shots of the memorabilia Van Dyke has collected over the years, the Mary Poppins alum reflects on growing older ahead of his 99th birthday later this month.

"I'm acutely aware that I, you know, could go any day now, but I don't know why it doesn't concern me," he admits. "I'm not afraid of it. I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual that I'm gonna be alright."

As he dances with his wife Arlene Silver on screen, Van Dyke tells cameras how "lucky" he feels to have had his illustrious career in Hollywood.

"I think I'm one of those lucky people who got to do for a living, what I would have done anyway. When you think how lucky I am, I got to do what I do — play and act silly," he shares.

On Dec. 13, the television personality will turn 99 years old.

Over the course of his career, Van Dyke has won several Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. His acting credits span decades and genres with titles such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dick Tracy, Night at the Museum and Scrubs.

In June, Van Dyke made history by becoming the oldest Daytime Emmy winner after nabbing the award for best guest performer in a daytime drama series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives.

"I don't believe this," he said as he and his wife accepted the award. "I feel like a spy from nighttime television. I brought this lady up because she, by trouble and strife, is the love of my life, but because she was in the show — she played the cop who arrested me."

"She looks better than she did as that cop and I'm the oldest nominee in history," he joked, poking fun at the fact that he has been "playing an old man all my life."

"If I had known I was going to live this long I would've taken better care of myself," he said. "You guys are a real family and just took me in and treated me so nicely."

After noting his impressive "80 years in the business," he concluded, "I'm 98 years old, can you believe it? This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business."

[Dude111]

It will be sad when he passes

[stevea]

Happy 99th! Belated - 12/13/24.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Dude111

It will be sad when he passes

If Dick Van Dyke makes it to December of this year, he'll be 100. Amazing considering he was a serious alcoholic well into middle age and he didn't quit smoking until he was in his seventies.

[Dude111]

Yes it will be amazing..

[Sgt. Saunders]

As a very young kid, I saw Mr. Van Dyke in the Broadway show, “Bye, Bye Birdie” in 1962. His co-stars were Chita Rivera, Paul Lynde, Dick Gautier and Michael J. Pollard.

Mr. Van Dyke has outlived them all.

The man is truly amazing and one of the greatest entertainers in the history of our nation.

[forn]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Saunders

As a very young kid, I saw Mr. Van Dyke in the Broadway show, “Bye, Bye Birdie” in 1962. His co-stars were Chita Rivera, Paul Lynde, Dick Gautier and Michael J. Pollard.

Mr. Van Dyke has outlived them all.

He's outlived the whole adult cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show too (Larry Matthews is still alive).