Dick Van Dyke reveals ‘curse’ of nearing 100 years old
Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke, who turns 100 in December, admits he has had to say goodbye to many loved ones.
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Dick Van Dyke continues to celebrate his milestone 100th birthday.
The actor, who celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, said: “The most interesting thing is that it’s not enough. 100 years is not enough. You want to live more.” “I’m going to do it.”
Speaking to ABC News’ Chris Connelly on a Dec. 12 segment, the “Mary Poppins” star credited part of his energy to his wife, Arlene Silver, 54.
“She kept me young,” Van Dyke said. “She gives me energy, humor and all kinds of support.”
Of course, he still feels the effects of aging.
When asked about the “hard part” of turning 100, he replied, “I miss moving.” “I only stepped foot in one game and I don’t know what it was, but I’m still trying to dance.”
He opened up about his physical limitations in a Sunday Times essay published in November, describing a range of ailments from foot problems to poor eyesight. He added that he has difficulty maintaining concentration in group conversations and frequently complains about his hearing aids.
“It’s frustrating to feel diminished in the world, both physically and socially,” he wrote. He added: “When I miss the gym too much, I feel stiffness creeping in here and there. God help me if it takes hold.”
Dick Van Dyke stays active at the gym three days a week.
Van Dyke, who recently published a book called “100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life,” has maintained a great gym routine over the years.
“I’ve always worked out three days a week, and I still go to the gym three days a week,” Van Dyke told Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen on the Jan. 22 episode of the podcast “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”
“I go down and do a lot of stretching and yoga-like stuff and sit-ups. And there’s machines…there’s something for just about every exercise.”
Van Dyke often shows off his agility by dancing in public, such as in Coldplay’s 2024 “All My Love” music video. In the seven-minute director’s cut, he talks about his long career in Hollywood and his musings on the meaning of love.
“I think I’m one of the lucky ones who was able to do what I wanted to do for a living anyway,” he said. “You gotta do what you gotta do. Play around and do stupid things.”
