Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke is candid about the challenges he faces at the age of 99, but he remains committed to maintaining his health and vitality as he approaches his milestone 100th birthday on December 13. In an essay published in the Sunday Times on November 13, Van Dyke opened up about his struggles with physical ailments, including foot issues, declining eyesight, and difficulties with hearing and concentration in social interactions. He expressed the frustration of feeling diminished both physically and socially, noting that while he receives numerous invitations to events in cities like New York and Chicago, traveling has become increasingly taxing, leading him to decline many of these opportunities.
Despite these challenges, the beloved star of “Mary Poppins” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” is determined to live a long and healthy life. He exercises regularly, aiming for gym sessions three times a week. In his essay, he shared his motivation to stay active, stating, “I don’t know why this is something I still want to do but it is.” He noted that skipping workouts leads to stiffness, which he strives to avoid. During his gym visits, Van Dyke follows a rigorous circuit, dedicating time to both his legs—his “most cherished possessions”—and upper body exercises, performing with minimal breaks.
Earlier in the year, at a charity event in Malibu on October 5, Van Dyke humorously remarked on his upcoming birthday, joking about the unpredictability of life: “It’d be funny if I didn’t make it.” The event aimed to support the Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum, highlighting his dedication to artistic endeavors throughout his life.
This essay in the Sunday Times is an excerpt from Van Dyke’s new memoir titled “100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.” In it, he reflects on the passage of time, humorously acknowledging the decades since he created some of his most memorable characters: “Now here we are many decades later. I turn 100 on December 13; as old if not older than Mr. Dawes, Origami Guy or Ludwig. I’m not playing a super-old anymore. I am a super-old.”
Van Dyke’s resilience and humor in the face of aging serve as an inspiration, reminding us all of the importance of staying active and maintaining a positive outlook, regardless of life’s challenges.