Dick Van Dyke — beloved entertainer, Hollywood legend, and soon-to-be centenarian — is taking a candid look back at his life, including the moments he wishes he could change. As he approaches his 100th birthday on December 13, he sat down with People to reflect on family, fame, and the sacrifices that shaped his journey.
The star, who recently spoke openly about his age-gap marriage to his wife, Arlene Silver, didn’t shy away from acknowledging the cost of success. Van Dyke, who shares four children with his late ex-wife Margie Willett — Christian, 75; Barry, 74; Stacy, 70; and Carrie, 64 — admitted that his early hustle to escape poverty often came at the expense of family time.
“In the beginning, we had no money. Everything was about earning enough to buy a home and get our feet on the ground,” he recalled. “My wife and kids probably got neglected at some point, because I was working so hard to climb out of poverty… but I haven’t had any complaints from anybody.”
His new book, 100 Rules for Living to 100, looks back on his life and career with humor, honesty, and gratitude — themes he echoed in his interview.
Van Dyke painted a vivid picture of his early grind: buying a home through the GI Bill, juggling game shows, nightclub gigs, and a 5 a.m. radio job. “I was getting three or four hours of sleep, at best,” he said. “I did everything I could to get a foothold. After that… I’ve enjoyed every minute.”
Despite the exhaustion, he never lost sight of how fortunate he felt to build a career doing what he loved. “Most people have to go sit in an office. I woke up excited to work every single day — because it was what I would’ve done for nothing.”
His wife Arlene, now 54, remains the anchor of his later years. Married in 2012, she’s the one who keeps his spirit youthful and grounded. “She’s responsible for keeping me in the moment,” he said warmly. “She keeps me happy every day. She’s a joy. She can get me singing or dancing, and she carries so much responsibility… I’m just lucky.”
But with longevity comes loss. Speaking during a recent Vandy Camp Q&A event, Van Dyke reflected on the friends he’s outlived — including his dear friend Ed Asner, with whom he once hoped to remake The Odd Couple. “That would’ve been such fun… and we lost it. I’ve lost so many friends,” he said.
Arlene gently chimed in, “He’s outlived everybody. That’s the curse of living to almost 100.”
Still, when asked how he stays positive through grief and change, Van Dyke smiled:
“Life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.”
