Beloved comedian Dick Van Dyke is anticipating a milestone that few people ever attain - his 100th birthday. He reaches the century mark on December 13. Per People, the Mary Poppins actor is still resolutely cheery and as active as possible. He said recently, "I feel really good for 100, Sometimes I have more energy than others — but I never wake up in a bad mood."
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Van Dyke concedes that he's a little shaky and his hearing may not be the best. Even so, he retains an optimistic outlook. "I feel like I'm about 13," he joshed happily. He even has a new book out about navigating the aging process, 100 Rules for Living to 100.
Van Dyke Loved Being Funny as a Kid
Per the outlet, Van Dyke was a youngster during the Great Depression. During that challenging time, he cultivated his comic instincts. "...[H]e developed a knack for pratfalls playing cops and robbers with his brother Jerry,,,," It paid off. He later landed the title role in The Dick Van Dyke Show opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the 1960s. In 1964, Van Dyke secured another plum part, this time in the film Mary Poppins alongside Julie Andrews. Four years after that, he was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He was definitely a star.
He Refused To Use up His Energy on Hate
Of course, folks ask him what is the key to his longevity. Per the outlet, Van Dyke replied, "People say 'What did you do right?' I don't know. I'm rather lazy. I've always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person's insides — and hate. And I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate. I think that is one of the chief things that kept me going."
He added, "There were things I didn't like, people I don't like and disapprove of. But I never really was able to do a white heat kind of hate. My father (Loren Van Dyke) was constantly upset by the state of things in his life and it did take him at 73 years old."
Van Dyke Believes His Wife "Keep(s) Me in the Moment"
He tied the knot with Arlene Silver , 54, 13 years ago. "She's responsible for keeping me in the moment. She kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She's a joy. She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility ... I'm just lucky."
