99-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke’s life struggle and his story.
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Dick Van Dyke at 99: When age brings good and bad days
Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke was unable to attend this week’s Vandy Camp comedy event due to ill health.
His wife, Arlene Silver told fans that at this stage of life, some days are good and some are bad.
When wife took over
“I am not the Van Dyke you were expecting,” Arlene joked.
She told the audience, “I have to tell you that Dick is not in a position to celebrate with us today. I am sorry.”
Arlene, 53, further explained, “When you are 99 years and six months old, there are good and bad days … and unfortunately, today is not a good day for him.”
Promise of the next event
However, Arlene assured fans that she is “pretty sure” Dick will be present “in person” at the next Vandy Camp event.
This time, they were able to join via livestream.
Vandy Camp is more than just a name
Arlene explained in her speech that Vandy Camp is not just about “Dick Van Dyke.”
“It’s a celebration of your childhood, all of our childhoods, the music that’s inside of all of us, and Dick Van Dyke is a huge part of that,” she said.
She called Dick’s fans “the greatest humans,” adding, “These Vandy Camps are a great opportunity where you can all get in the same room and meet each other.”
Source of confidence
Arlene also shared that being with Dick “has just made me a better person as a human being.”
She praised the movie star and his musical group, The Vantastix, saying they have given her “so much confidence to be standing here right now.”
“I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this a year ago, but I’ve had so many experiences of stepping out of my comfort zone,” she explained.
The Magic of Vandy Camp
The annual Vandy Camp event sees Van Dyke and Silvers team up with their music group to honor their “passion for comedy, vaudeville and the circus.”
According to makeup artist Silvers, the event “really has a spirit,” and is like “a magical, vintage circus.”
Relationship Story
“Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” star Van Dyke first met Silvers at the SAG Awards in 2006, and they eventually tied the knot in 2012.
At the 2024 Vandy Camp event, Van Dyke, still in his late ’90s, told PEOPLE that he has no plans to slow down.
“I love my job,” he said, while Silvers added with a laugh, “[but] as soon as he says it — the phone rings, and he says, ‘I don’t want to go there.’
If they come to our house, he will work all the time.”
This way we can see that even at the age of 99, Dick Van Dyke’s enthusiasm has not diminished, it’s just that sometimes his body doesn’t cooperate.
Wish him a speedy recovery!