Born:
December 13, 1925
in
West Plains, Missouri
Best Known For:
Mary Poppins.
Early-life:
Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, but was raised in Danville, Illinois. He became interested in show business at an early age after watching Laurel and Hardy movies at his local cinema. Stan Laurel was his hero, and they later became friends. He acted in amateur productions in his teens but, after entering the US Air Force during the Second World War, he ditched plans to become a performer, toyed with the idea of being a minister, then set up an advertising agency.
Career:
After his business failed, Van Dyke was a radio announcer for a local station and performed comedy routines. His popularity led to him being signed by CBS. After making his TV acting debut in The Phil Silvers Show, he hosted several long-forgotten game shows before hitting the big time with Broadway hits The Girls Against the Boys and Bye Bye Birdie. That led to The Dick Van Dyke Show, which was a smash hit and ran for five years. Among his other famous projects are Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Van Dyke and Company, and Diagnosis Murder. He continues to act.
Quote:
"I never wanted to be an actor and to this day I don't. I can't get a handle on it. An actor wants to become someone else. I am a song-and-dance man and I enjoy being myself, which is all I can do."
Trivia:
He overcame alcoholism in the 1970s and was a heavy smoker for 50 years.