Click Here

Dick Van Dyke

Person Score

 
9.6 Superb
108 votes

Your Score

Biography

Recent Role:
Himself on TMZ on TV
Gender:
Male
Born:
12-13-1925
Birthplace:
West Plains, Missouri,USA
Birth Name:
Richard Wayne Van Dyke
Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri but actually grew up in Danville, Illinois, the very same birthplace that he used for his most popular and well known character, Robert Petrie from his titular sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show".

Growing up Mr. Van Dyke was heavily influenced by his big screen idol Stan Laurel from the silent film era comedy duo "Laurel & Hardy", which inspired him to go into show business.

After appearing in high school plays and community theater productions in his youth, he enlisted in the US Air Force. Due to being



More very under weight, he had to try 3 times before being accepted. Dick Van Dyke didn't see any action, instead was a radio DJ for the Army Air Corps. and never left the US.

After some local comedy shows in Atlanta and New Orleans, he signed on with CBS in 1956. He did some game show work, and debuted his acting talents in an episode of "The Phil Silvers Show".

He left CBS for Broadway and starred in "Bye-Bye Birdie" which won him a Tony Award. Carl Reiner, saw him in the play and signed him up for the lead role of Robert Petrie in the “The Dick Van Dyke Show".

Along with his most famous sitcom, Dick Van Dyke would go on to star in the film version of "Bye-Bye Birdie” and opposite Julie Andrews in "Mary Poppins".

He won critical acclaim for his roles in the TV movies, "The Comic" and "The Morning After", the latter a highly acclaimed drama about an alcoholic businessman, which was close to the heart for the recently recovered alcoholic Dick Van Dyke.

Dick Van Dyke would find the late 70's to the 80's lean years, until he found a new niche, as the wily and crafty mystery detective, Dr. Mark Slone on "Diagnosis Murder" which ran successfully from 1993 to 2001

From the Forums

More Topics
More Topics

Dick Van Dyke News

More
  •  
    9.4 Superb
    Watch out for that ottoman! hide show

    Accent be damned, I first saw and loved Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins." As a kid, I caught the Nick at Nite reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and watched the early seasons of his long-running whodunit "Diagnosis Murder" and he was and is one of my favorite TV performers. No one else I can think of can so effortlessly combine physical comedy, wordplay and genuine dramatic chops and do it as well or for as long as Mr. Van Dyke has over his long career.

    It's naive to assume that actors in reality display the traits of their characters, but from what I have seen of Dick Van Dyke in interviews and appearances, he looks to be the laid-back, funny guy that Bert, Rob Petrie and Mark Sloan were. He seems like he would be a great guy to visit with, an ideal "grandfather" figure if ever there was one.

    Like many other performers of his generation, Dick Van Dyke occasionally seems to be in "retirement" until a new project pops up. Whether it was a sizable supporting role in "Night at the Museum" or his new regular "Murder 101" TV movie series, it's always nice to see Dick Van Dyke on screen. It's almost like catching up with a family member you haven't seen in a while.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    10 Perfect
    I am such a fan of Dick Van Dyke hide show

    My family is big on his older shows, such as the dick van dyke show and some others. I have seen them on tvland or nick at nite. I have also seen his older movie bye bye birdie. Great work. I loved the show Diagnosis Murder with his real life son Barry Van Dyke It was an amazing show that had great story lines. I could tell how great they worked together. I can't wait to see what other great works Dick Van Dyke can come up with. I will be a fan of his till who knows when. He's great and classic.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    7 Good
    empty hide show

    Dick Van Dyke is a really wonderful actor that can pull off dramatic roles just as well as he can pull off comedic roles. The man has been in Hollywood almost since the beginning of time and he really is amazing.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    9 Superb
    empty hide show

    Classic actor, above all he has starred on comedies and he is simply awesome, I can't believe that he is so funny. I saw him in Night At the Museum, and after that I decided to watch some of his movies, and I must say that he is awesome, he is simply one great actor and one classic actor I must say.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
  •  
    9.5 Superb
    Amazingly talented man who has shown his dexterity by playing a variety of roles. hide show

    Dick Van Dyke. How can you not love him? He has played roles from a comedy writer to a serious drunk from a lovable jack of all trades to a doctor who's hobby is solving murders. He doesn't stop there. I remember when he guest starred in Matlock as a judge. He played a cold-hearted murderer who was judging the case of the man he framed. I loved the Dick Van Dyke show and to me its one of my favorite shows of all time. It ranks right up there with I Love Lucy which is due to his genius comedic talent.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
 

Top Contributors

What is a TV.com Contributor?