Dick Van Dyke Wiki: Net Worth, TV Show & Facts To Know

Dick Van Dyke has had a long career as an actor, singer, comedian, writer, and producer. But who is he underneath all that? Here are details about his early life and personal life that you should know. Dick Van Dyke was born Richard Wayne Van Dyke on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri. He recently celebrated his 92nd birthday! His mother was named Hazel Victoria and she was a stenographer. His father was Loren Wayne Van Dyke, also known as "Cookie". He was a salesman. Although he was born in Missouri, Dick Van Dyke spent most of his childhood in Danville, Illinois, with his younger brother Jerry Van Dyke, who recently passed away on January 5, 2018. Jerry was also an actor and is best known for his role on the TV series Coach. The Van Dyke family has Dutch, English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry, and a family line that traces back to Mayflower passenger John Alden. In high school, Dick Van Dyke was friends with Donald O'Connor and Bobby Short, both of whom would also go on to have successful careers as entertainers. It seems Dick Van Dyke was destined to have a career in entertainment. He did consider a career in ministry for a time because of how religious his mother's family was, but a high school drama class convinced him that his true calling was as an entertainer. Even when he tried to enlist in the army during World War II, fate had him selected for entertainment. He was denied enlistment several times for being underweight but was eventually accepted for service as a radio announcer, before transferring to the Special Services and entertaining troops in the continental United States. He did not receive his high school diploma until many years later in 2004.

Dick Van Dyke's career in entertainment has spanned over seven decades of his very long life. He first gained recognition on radio and Broadway, before becoming well known for his role as Rob Petrie on the CBS television sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961 to 1966. The Dick Van Dyke Show cast also included other stars such as Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, and Larry Matthews. Dick Van Dyke has appeared in several musical films, showcasing his singing abilities. His roles in Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins earned him much popularity. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released in 1968, is the story of a down-on-his-luck inventor who turns a broken-down Grand Prix into a fancy car for his children and then takes them on a magical fantasy adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land. Dick Van Dyke's other prominent film appearances include roles in The Comic, Dick Tracy, Curious George, Night at the Museum, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Besides film, Dick Van Dyke has had several other prominent TV Show roles. The New Dick Van Dyke show cast stars such as Richard Dawson, Hope Lang, and Dick Van Patten and ran from 1971 and 1974. Van Dyke also held a leading role in the TV show Diagnosis: Murder for eight years from 1993 to 2001 and co-starred with his son, Barry Van Dyke on Murder 101 from 2006 to 2008. Van Dyke has won 5 Primetime Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy Award as well as been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995. His other accolades include the Screen Actors Guild's highest honor, the SAG Life Achievement Award, recognition as a Disney Legend, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

With such a long and successful career, one would expect that Dick Van Dyke has amassed a nice net worth to pass on to his children. According to The Richest, Van Dyke's net worth is over $30 million. Dick Van Dyke has been married twice, first to Margie Willet from 1948 until 1984 and currently to Arlene Silver, who he married in 2012. His long-term partner from 1976 until 2009 was Michelle Triola Marvin. Dick Van Dyke has four children - two sons and two daughters. The sons are named Barry and Christian. The daughters are named Stacy and Carrie Beth. All of Van Dyke's children are now married, and he has seven grandchildren. Dick Van Dyke was a heavy smoker for most of his life. For the past decade, he has used Nicorette gum to curb his cravings. On August 19, 2013, a passerby rescued Van Dyke from his burning Jaguar after the car had caught fire on the US 101 freeway in California. He was not injured in the fire, but the car completely burned down.

The world of entertainment would just not be the same without Dick Van Dyke. From Mary Poppins to The New Dick Van Dyke Show, from Bye Bye Birdie to Diagnosis: Murder, Dick Van Dyke has never disappointed in giving us a laugh or a good show. Thanks for the memories Mr. Van Dyke!