After an extraordinary career in entertainment spanning over seven decades, beloved performer Dick Van Dyke shared how he hopes to be remembered.
The Mary Poppins star reflected on his legacy after receiving the award for Outstanding Variety Special at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his 2023 birthday special, Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic.
Van Dyke told reporters he hopes to be remembered as someone who brought laughter to people’s lives while adding that he has no plans to retire and remains eager to continue working.
“For laughter, I hope, for making people laugh for 75 years,” he shared.
“I’ve been in the business 75 years. I can’t believe that I’m still here and performing. I’m looking for work if anybody has (any).”
Van Dyke also reflected on the early days of his career while revealing what it takes to be successful in the entertainment industry.
“You have to stick with it. You’re gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions… but you have to stay with it,” he said.
“Be patient if you’ve got the confidence in yourself, and it’s very important to believe that you can do it.”
Van Dyke’s latest accolade comes after he recently made history by becoming the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy at the remarkable age of 98.
Van Dyke received the accolade for his guest performance as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives.
“I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” he said as he received the honour.
“I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it? This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business. If I had known I would have lived this long I would’ve taken better care of myself.”
The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star received a standing ovation as he took to the stage, accompanied by his wife, Arlene, who held the trophy for him.
“I brought this lady up because she was also on the show,” he told the audience.
“She played the cop who arrested me.”
In addition to holding the honour of being the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy and enjoying a long and stellar career, Van Dyke continues to defy the conventional boundaries of age, showcasing an unwavering spirit while ensuring he remains the picture of health and longevity well into old age.
In a previous interview, Van Dyke attributed his longevity to his adoring wife who he tied the knot with in 2012.
Speaking with Yahoo, Van Dyke was asked for the secret to his “energy and joy”.
“Genes, I guess, for one thing. Having a beautiful young wife half my age to take care of me — that works!” Van Dyke said.
He also revealed the other element that keeps him energetic and fit with age.
“I still go to the gym three days a week and work out. And I advise everybody to do that because that’s what ages people — it’s just a stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and their lungs,” he said.
“Exercise is the answer.”
-with BANG.