As Dick Van Dyke approaches his 100th birthday, a new PBS American Masters documentary is celebrating not just his legendary career—but the man behind the magic. American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke, directed by John Scheinfeld, premieres December 12, 2025, and offers an intimate look at one of America’s most beloved entertainers.
Scheinfeld had just 10 months to capture an extraordinary eight-decade career, a task he admits was both exhilarating and exhausting. “Normally, I like 12 to 14 months,” he said, “so it was very crazy. But we’re incredibly proud of what we made.” The result is a two-hour film packed with rare archival footage and interviews that span Van Dyke’s remarkable journey.
The documentary features tributes from celebrity admirers and longtime collaborators including Steve Martin, Martin Short, Ted Danson, Jim Carrey, Conan O’Brien, and more. Viewers will also see rarely unearthed material, such as Van Dyke’s early radio performances and his 1955 audition for CBS News—moments that reveal the foundation of a star long before fame arrived.
While many remember Van Dyke bursting onto television screens in 1961 with The Dick Van Dyke Show, Scheinfeld emphasizes that success didn’t happen overnight. “He seemed to emerge fully formed,” the director said, “but there were 15 years of experiences that shaped him as both an artist and a person.” The film explores those early years, including his time in the mime comedy duo The Merry Mutes and performances dating back to the 1940s.
Perhaps the most striking revelation from the documentary isn’t just Van Dyke’s talent—but his character. Scheinfeld, who has directed numerous pop culture documentaries, says he usually encounters at least one critical voice. Not this time. “In 10 months, I didn’t have anyone say one bad word about Dick,” he shared. Interviews with Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Chita Rivera, and others all echo the same sentiment: Dick Van Dyke is just as kind and genuine off screen as he appears on screen.
Beyond nostalgia, Starring Dick Van Dyke also highlights the actor’s incredible ability to reinvent himself. Even in recent years, Van Dyke continues to surprise audiences—winning a Daytime Emmy in 2023 for a guest appearance on Days of Our Lives and appearing in a Coldplay music video. That longevity, Scheinfeld says, is no accident.
“It takes a lot to have a long career in this business,” he explained. “It takes even more to have an eight-decade career. Reinvention was a mindful, purposeful choice for Dick—and it’s what has kept him relevant, fresh, and deeply loved.”
As the documentary makes clear, Dick Van Dyke’s legacy isn’t just defined by iconic roles or timeless performances—but by a rare combination of talent, humility, and kindness that has endured for nearly a century.
