Dick Van Dyke Biography

Fast Facts

• Won the Theatre World Award in 1960 for his role in "The Boys Against the Girls․"
• Has helped raise millions for The Midnight Mission, a Los Angeles shelter, at which he also volunteers
• Made a series of TV commercials to raise awareness of Reye's Syndrome and became the National Spokesman of the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
• He was named the first spokesperson for the Cell Therapy Foundation
• Was honored as a Disney Legend in 1998 for his contributions to the Walt Disney Company
• Brother to actor Jerry Van Dyke and grandfather to actor Shane Van Dyke
• Distantly related to John Alden, a Mayflower passenger
• Had no dance experience before being cast as the lead in the Broadway musical "Bye Bye Birdie․"
• Worked as a radio announcer in the U․S․ Army Air Corps
• Quote: "I suppose that I never completely gave up my childhood idea of being a minister․ Only the medium and the message changed․ I have still endeavored to touch people's souls, to raise their spirits and put smiles on their faces․"
• Often collaborates with his son Barry Van Dyke on projects
• During his early days as a struggling actor, he turned down the chance to host "The Price Is Right․"
• Was featured on the album "Rhythm Train" in 2010
• Beat Johnny Carson for the eventual role of Rob Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show․"