At 97, Dick Van Dyke Is Not Slowing Down As He Picks Up New Hobby

Aug 24, 2023 by apost team

Dick Van Dyke is a legend in the entertainment industry, where he has given over seven decades of his life. Although he considered going into ministry at some point, he discovered acting after taking a drama class in high school and chose to become a professional actor instead. Van Dyke is a talented actor, and his litany of talents made him the heartthrob of many and a household name. 

Although his career started in the 1940s, Van Dyke only gained widespread popularity after he starred in “Bye Bye Birdie” and started his television sitcom series, “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” in 1961. Other iconic films like “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” further established him as an icon whose work leaves many smiling. 

On the homefront, Van Dyke has four children and seven grandchildren. His children all made their debut on his shows. Although the actor struggled with alcoholism for many years, he built a great relationship with his children. He celebrated Father’s Day in 2023 in his family’s company and made a touching post on Instagram to celebrate the occasion.

“I never realized when I was first having kids what I was starting,” he wrote in his caption. “But, I’m amazed and grateful to have lived long enough to spend Father’s Day with some of my kids, grandchildren AND great grandchildren!! All wonderful, non-toxic people!! And to share it all with my greatest gift @bijoubox in our magical fairyland @vandymanor I’m a very lucky boy!! @wesvandyke_fineart.”

The actor is indeed a lucky boy as he can still pick up new hobbies at his age. On Aug. 22, 2023, he shared a video of himself learning the ukulele and encouraged fans to keep learning regardless of age. Keep reading for the details.

Van Dyke is still very agile despite his age. The 97-year-old writer has been sober for years and is active. In his interview with "CBS This Morning" in June 2021, he took the crew into the backyard to show them how he does sit-ups.

Van Dyke told the team: “I’m 95, and a lot of my friends won’t do these… So all you old guys out there, listen to me, I’m telling you: You can keep going for a long time — I’m still dancing! And singing!”

That was not the only time the dancer showed off his abilities. On Valentine’s Day in 2022, he danced with his wife, makeup artist Arlene Silver, who is 46 years younger than he is. 

The lovebirds performed “Everybody Loves a Lover” by Doris Day, but it was their fun choreography that captured the heart of fans as they couldn’t help but recall how Van Dyke used to entertain them. The couple also uploaded a music video on Silver’s YouTube.

Van Dyke further surprised fans when he appeared in the season 9 premiere of “The Masked Singer” as the Gnome. 

The Gnome was introduced during the premiere and, afterward, sang Frank Sinatra’s “When You’re Smiling.” However, when the judges had to guess, they couldn’t agree on who they thought it to be. Judges Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, and Jenny McCarthy thought it could be Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman or Tony Bennett.

They were shocked to see Van Dyke when host Nick Cannon unmasked the Gnome. All the judges applauded the singer, who they called their idol. 

Jeong gave Van Dyke a standing ovation and said he was the reason he became a comedian in the first place. He also dubbed him as the GOAT – the greatest of all time.

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Van Dyke has always been enamored with singing and dancing. He told "CBS This Morning," “I had always been an admirer of Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. So as a kid I practiced falling. And I had worked it all out.”

Van Dyke met the comedy legend Keaton for the first time in the 1960s. In an interview, he described the moment: 

“He lived out in Woodland Hills on a little quarter of an acre,” he recalled. “And I called his wife. I went on a Sunday, and was sitting there talking. And Buster’s walking around the house outside, looking in the windows. And I said, ‘Is he gonna come in?’”

“‘Buster’s very shy. He’ll work his way up to it,’ Keaton’s wife responded. “Finally, he came in. He had on his little flat hat and a ukulele, singing, ‘Oh Mr. Moon, Moon, Carolina Moon. Won’t you shine on —’ That was his introduction to me. And then, of course, I plied him with a million questions,” the actor concluded. 

Since Keaton played the ukulele, it's possible he inspired Van Dyke to pick it up in his old age. On Aug. 22, 2023, he posted a video on his Instagram that showed him playing the little stringed instrument. 

“My first ukulele lesson with @getstartedplayingukulele,” he captioned the post. “@bijoubox’s third,” he also wrote about his friend’s third try. Additionally, he encouraged his fans to keep pushing on and wrote, “It’s never too late to start something new.”

“Where’s the F?” the comedian asked an instructor in the clip in his bid to find the correct key while playing. Fans loved Van Dyke’s video and lauded him.

“Love that you’re still trying new things! A lesson in how to stay young,” a fan commented. 

What do you think of Dick Van Dyke picking up a new hobby? Do you play the ukulele? What new hobby are you picking up? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to friends, family and fans of Dick Van Dyke.