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Dick Van Dyke
Age: 84
Height: 6' 1"
Birth Place: West Plains, Missouri, USA
Born: Dec. 13th, 1925
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Dick Van Dyke's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Although he'd had small roles beforehand, Dick Van Dyke was launched to stardom in the 1960 musical "Bye-Bye Birdie", for which he won a Tony Award, and then later in the movie based on that play, Bye Bye Birdie (1963). He has starred in a number of films throughout the years including Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Fitzwilly (1967), as well as a number of successful television series which won him no less than four Emmys and three made-for-CBS movies. After separating from his wife Margie Willett in the 1970s, Dick later became involved with Michelle Triola. Margie and Dick had four children born during the first ten years of their marriage: Barry Van Dyke; Carrie Beth van Dyke; Christian Van Dyke and Stacy Van Dyke, all of whom are now in their forties and married themselves. He has seven grandchildren, including Shane Van Dyke, Carey Van Dyke, Wes Van Dyke and 'Taryn Van Dyke' (Barry's children) and family members often appear with him on "Diagnosis Murder" (1993).
TRIVIA:
- Had a brief stint as a TV weatherman.
- In his 30s and 40s he had a talent for playing crotchety, eccentric old men. He played this kind of role in _Mary Poppins (1964)_ (qv) as "Mr. Dawes Sr." and in a _"The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961)_ (qv) episode where he played one of Rob Petrie's elderly relatives.
- His comic inspiration was 'Stan Laurel' (qv). He says he was able to find him by looking up his name in the phone book in Santa Monica, California, where Laurel lived. He called and Laurel invited him over. The two became good friends. When Laurel died, Van Dyke delivered his eulogy at the funeral.
- His album "Songs I Like By Dick Van Dyke" (Command Records, 1963), released at the height of his TV success and just before the release of _Mary Poppins (1964)_ (qv), was actually a best-seller, remaining on Billboard's top-40 albums chart for several weeks in late 1963-early 1964.
- His cockney accent in Mary Poppins (1964) was so heavily criticized that it may have cost him a Best Leading Actor Academy Award nomination the following year.
- Served in the U.S. Air Force.
- His romantic companion for the last couple decades has been 'Michelle Triola' (qv).
- Often hosted game shows when he was a struggling actor. He hosted _"Mother's Day" (1958)_ (qv) and _"Laugh Line" (1959)_ (qv) but turned down _"The Price Is Right" (1956)_ (qv).
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