Dick Van Dyke has spent nearly eight decades in show business, beginning in Illinois radio before moving to Broadway, television, and film. Though he’s best known for ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘Mary Poppins,’ his career includes beloved hits and overlooked gems that show his remarkable range. His breakout came with ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ where he played Rob Petrie alongside Mary Tyler Moore. The warm ensemble helped make the sitcom an enduring classic. His first major film, ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ let him bring his Tony-winning Broadway role to the screen. It became a major success and a top-grossing film of 1963. That momentum continued with ‘Mary Poppins,’ where he played Bert opposite Julie Andrews. The role showcased his singing, dancing, and playful energy in a film he called “the perfect Walt Disney movie.†In ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ he played inventor Caractacus Potts, choosing a family-friendly project his children could enjoy. Though not a huge hit at first, it became a cherished classic in the following decades. Wanting to take on more dramatic roles, Van Dyke starred in ‘The Comic,’ portraying silent film star Billy Bright. Although it remains one of Van Dyke’s lesser-known projects, the 1969 film showcased his ability to tap into audiences' emotions. In more recent times, Van Dyke surprised fans by appearing on the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ at age 97, playing a hospital patient with amnesia who’s ultimately revealed as John Black’s long-lost father.
