Dick Van Dyke, performer and Presbyterian, turns 99
On Friday, Coldplay released ‘All My Love,’ filmed in Van Dyke’s Malibu backyard
Albert Peterson. Rob Petrie. Bert the Chimney Sweep. Caractacus Potts.
Which name do you recognize? All belong to personas adopted by the renowned American comic actor, Dick Van Dyke, who is celebrating the start of his 99th year on Earth on Friday.
A man of the stage and screen, Van Dyke began performing in his youth. His participation in his high school’s drama club blossomed into a desire to become a professional entertainer — although he did consider, for a while, a career in ministry.
The inimitable comedian, actor, and performer grew up in Immanuel Presbyterian Church in his childhood hometown of Danville, Illinois. He and his younger brother, Jerry, were both baptized into the faith in 1937. The boys’ father, Loren Wayne Van Dyke, is listed in the church registers as “Lora.” PHS Record Archivist David Staniunas took some time to peruse the documents, which are housed in the archives at the Presbyterian Historical Society.
During his senior year, Dick Van Dyke left behind his high school studies to join the United States Air Force. Denied formal enlistment repeatedly for being underweight, he took a different path — one that led to his joining the Special Services entertainment branch of the military.
He never stopped performing, from that point onward. First, for the troops. Then, for a little while, as a radio announcer. And then, in 1947, Van Dyke agreed to a perform side-by-side with Phil Erickson. Their comedy duo, titled “Eric and Van — the Merry Mutes,” toured the West Coast nightclub circuit before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, in the early 50s. There, the duo blossomed, performing on a local television show. This move explains Van Dyke’s transfer of membership from his childhood church to Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Van Dyke bopped from the stage to the screen to the stage again during the 1950s, making his debut on Broadway in November 1959 in a show called “The Girls Against the Boys.”
His second Broadway performance was in “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” which ran from April 1960 to October 1961. Of the four Tony Awards awarded to the musical, one was his — Van Dyke won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Albert Peterson.
1961 proved a big year for Van Dyke. Not only did he win the Tony, but the pilot episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” premiered, and he began filming for the movie-adaptation of “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” which hit screens in 1963 and entranced Walt Disney, of all people. “The Dick Van Dyke Show” would stretch into the mid-60s, with its final episode airing in June of 1966. “Bye, Bye, Birdie” brought Van Dyke his first Golden Globe nomination and opened the door to even more film roles, including “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a staple movie of many childhoods, as well as Bert the Chimney Sweep in “Mary Poppins,” which is often seen as the role that put Van Dyke on the fast-track to stardom.
From the 60s onward, Van Dyke continued to grow his name, his talent, and his influence. He accepted many more roles, both in television and film, many of which led to his receiving more awards and nominations —he’s received 12 Emmy Award nominations and won six of them.
Though 1980 saw Van Dyke return to the Broadway stage, acting in the title role of Professor Harold Hill in the U.S. revival of “The Music Man,” the next decade saw him appearing mostly in TV movies. And then, from 1993 to 2001, there was his popular TV drama “Diagnosis: Murder,” in which Dick co-starred with his son Barry.
He's continued singing, too, which ought to come as no surprise — along with the drama club, Van Dyke was a member of his high school’s acapella group, too. Just this month, he starred in the music video for Coldplay’s "All My Love,” which was filmed in his Malibu backyard. That’s yet another reason you may have seen Van Dyke in recent news: earlier this week, he and his wife safely evacuated in the face of the Malibu wildfires. They were allowed to return to their home yesterday, just in time to celebrate the big 9-9 — in the company of their family, including their pet cat, Bobo, who was reported safe and sound after being separated during the evacuation.
A relationship with God is a very personal endeavor. Our records show us that Van Dyke, baptized into the Presbyterian faith at the age of 12, made sure to carry it with him on his travels. From Danville to Atlanta to Malibu, he’s remained involved with his church community. It has been reported that, throughout his lengthy and successful acting career, Van Dyke continued to show up each Sunday to teach Sunday school lessons at the church where he was an elder. Though he did not opt for a career in ministry, it is said that he read theology texts into his later years.
Dick Van Dyke is the epitome of talent, of passion, of a life dedicated to his craft. Through it all, he’s kept on singing, moving, and inspiring us all to move through the world on light feet, with a heart full of joy. Happy birthday, Mr. Van Dyke.
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