Dick Van Dyke at 100: His Iconic Career In Photos From ‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Celebrating a century of life today, and a career spanning seven remarkable decades, Dick Van Dyke stands as one of the most beloved and legendary stars in entertainment. From his early days in vaudeville and radio to his celebrated roles on Broadway, film, and television, he has consistently charmed viewers across generations. His enduring talent has been recognized with a GRAMMY, Emmy, and Tony Award, a fitting tribute to his long and brilliant run.

Born Richard Wayne Van Dyke in West Plains, Missouri in 1925, his career began unexpectedly. Denied entry into the Air Force due to his weight, he served in World War II as a radio announcer. Post-war, he continued his radio career, working as a DJ and comedian emcee and appearing on WDSU-TV New Orleans Channel 6 between 1947 to 1954.

His television debut came in 1954 on Chance of a Lifetime, followed by a series of bit parts. He then transitioned to Broadway, making his debut in The Girls Against the Boys. This led to Van Dyke being cast in the lead role of Albert Peterson in the smash hit musical Bye Bye Birdie, which ran from 1960 to 1961, winning him a Tony award for his performance. He would go on to reprise the role for the 1963 film adaptation, which was a hit at the box office. 

He became a household name with the award-winning sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show. Created by Carl Reiner and loosely based on Reiner’s own experiences as a writer, the show aired from 1961 to 1966. Starring alongside Mary Tyler Moore as his on-screen wife, Van Dyke won three Emmy Awards for his performance, and the series was honored with four Outstanding Comedy Series awards.

His star soared even higher after his iconic performance as Bert the chimney sweep in Walt Disney’s 1964 adaptation of Mary Poppins, alongside Julie Andrews. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards. This led to another memorable role as the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts in the charming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Throughout his career, Van Dyke has remained active in both film and television. He appeared in films such as Carl Reiner’s The Comic (1969); The Morning After (1974); Dick Tracy (1990); Night at the Museum (2006), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). On television, he starred in The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-1974), Van Dyke and Company (1976), and made guest appearances on shows like The Carol Burnett Show (1977) and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (1979) and many more.

Take a look back at Dick Van Dyke’s career in film and television.