Dick Van Dyke is everyone’s favorite man in Hollywood – he sings, he dances, he makes us laugh, and he was a staple in almost all of our childhoods.
But this week, he achieved another huge feat.
An appearance on The Masked Singer aged 97!
Dick Van Dyke is a true icon.
Born December 13, 1925, his career has spanned more than 7 decades.
He rose to fame on Broadway.
But eventually got his own CBS show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961 to 1966.
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You may also know him from his incredible movie roles.
Van Dyke was the star of classics like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
His accolades speak for themselves.
via Getty ImagesHe’s received five Primetime Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy Award, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995.
He received the Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor, the SAG Life Achievement Award, in 2013 …
via Shutterstock
And even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.
Since his early movies, Van Dyke has continued to have a prolific career.
via Getty Images
More recently, he’s had roles in Night at the Museum in 2006, and Mary Poppins Returns in 2018.
Van Dyke has had 3 wives and has 4 children.
He also has 7 grandchildren!
And in spite of his advancing age, it seems Van Dyke has no intention of slowing down.
In an interview with CBS This Morning, the movie star opened up about the aging process…
And he believes staying active is absolutely key.
Promising the world he’s “still dancing.”
Well, we wouldn’t expect anything less!
He also has an intense fitness regimen.
Which he proudly demonstrated on the show.
He began by showing off his sit-up prowess.
“I’m 95, and a lot of my friends won’t do these,” he said at the time of the interview.
“So all you old guys out there, listen to me, I’m telling you: You can keep going.”
“I’m still dancing! And singing!”
And he put his money where his mouth is, doing an intricate routine in Mary Poppins Returns.
Van Dyke claims he was given “three versions and I took the hardest one. I had to prove I could do it.”
He also opened up about his hopes for the future.
“I’m looking forward to 100,” he said.
“George Burns made it, and I’m gonna do it too!”
In the past, Van Dyke had had less of a positive attitude to getting older, however.
In an NPR interview in 2015, the star opened up about “giving up the things that you enjoy doing.”
“I can’t handle the tennis court anymore. I can still run and dance and sing.”
He also offered some more philosophical perspectives.
“You know, I made a habit of asking other people in their old age: of all the things you enjoyed doing when you were younger that you can’t anymore, what do you miss?”
“Some people mention golf or tennis. One woman said, ‘I miss having lunch with the girls.’”
“But the people who said I wish I had made smarter business decisions, I think they’re missing the point.”
So, what’s the meaning of life?
“The point is to enjoy,” said Van Dyke.
“You have to pick what you enjoy doing, what fulfills you, what interests you.
“And I realize that’s not possible for a lot of people. As Thoreau said, a lot of people are living lives of quiet desperation.”
“But almost anyone can find that one immersing hobby or pastime that they love to do.”
And on December 13th, Van Dyke celebrated an unbelievable milestone.
His 97th birthday!
And Twitter was filled with well-wishes for the legend.
One of the fans wrote, “Happy 97th Birthday to dazzling Dick Van Dyke, the internationally treasured, tireless ray of sunshine who brightened all of our childhoods and, even today, can turn our frowns upside down.”
Another added: “Super 97th B-Day to Dick Van Dyke. If anybody deserves to live 97 years, it’s this sweet b*****d. When has he ever let us down? Oh, that’s right, absolutely f***ing never. Icon. Have yourself a great day, Rob Petrie.”
“Happy 97th Birthday to one of the most beloved artists of our times, the legendary, Dick Van Dyke! Here’s to many happy and healthy years to come, sir! Bravo!” tweeted another.
Oh, and this week, Van Dyke had another major achievement!
He was revealed to be the Gnome on The Masked Singer.
“This is the most seasoned and most decorated we’ve had on our show, ladies and gentlemen,” said host Nick Cannon.
“It was really dark in there. …I couldn’t see anything,” Van Dyke then laughed.
“I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much. It’s an honor to have you on our show,” Nicole Scherzinger said.
“I can’t believe you’re here, I’m trying to play it cool. You look so gorgeous, you look so handsome.”
Jenny McCarthy said she was “blown away.”
While Ken Jeong added, “Our greatest reveal ever.”
Van Dyke told Entertainment Weekly, “I was so positive that nobody would ever guess it was me, that they would have somebody 97 years old on there.
“I would say it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever done. But they didn’t put a mask on me. They made a great big like Pumpkinhead thing that I had to do.”
“It was a weird experience. I had two little peepholes I can see the audience with. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic,” he added.
