Discover how Dick Van Dyke nearly remade The Odd Couple with Ed Asner before time ran out on their comedy dream.

Dick Van Dyke nearly teamed up with his old pal Ed Asner for what would’ve been comedy gold – a fresh take on “The Odd Couple.”

But life threw a curveball when Asner passed away in 2021, leaving Van Dyke to reflect on the bittersweet reality of reaching his 100th birthday this December.

The Dream That Never Was

During a casual Q&A session with his wife Arlene at their Malibu “Vandy Camp” event, Dick spilled the beans about their planned project.

“That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it,” he shared with a touch of wistfulness in his voice.

The chemistry between these two legends would’ve brought new life to the classic odd-couple dynamic.

Living Beyond Your Friends

“He’s outlived everybody,” Arlene pointed out about her husband, who’s now 99.

“That’s the curse of living to almost 100.” Despite the heartache of saying goodbye to countless friends and costars over the decades, Dick maintains his sunny outlook on life with remarkable simplicity: “Well, life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.”

The Odd Couple Legacy

The iconic story of Felix and Oscar began as Neil Simon’s Broadway hit in 1965, featuring a neat freak and a slob forced to share an apartment.

The tale jumped to the big screen with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in 1968, before becoming a beloved TV sitcom starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall that ran for five hilarious seasons.

Still a Performer at Heart

Why does Dick still hit the stage when most folks would’ve hung up their dancing shoes decades ago? “I’m a ham,” he admits with a chuckle. “I love it.

I get a jolt of energy from an audience.”

At the Malibu event, he performed with his barbershop quartet, The Vantastix, showing his enduring love for entertaining crowds.

Broadway Beginnings

Looking back on his incredible career, Dick points to “Bye Bye Birdie” as his big break.

“It’s the one that got me off the ground,” he recalls with genuine excitement. “It was the biggest thrill. And I got a Tony Award later.”

That Broadway success launched him into the 1963 film adaptation and opened Hollywood’s doors.

The Mary Poppins Magic

While headlining “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” he landed dual roles in “Mary Poppins” alongside Julie Andrews.

Despite his struggles with the musical numbers, Andrews showed incredible patience.

“She kept helping me, saying ‘Think high. Think up there,'” he remembers fondly. “She was wonderful. We had a wonderful time together.”

A Century of Memories

As Dick approaches his centennial birthday, he’s not slowing down.

Instead, he’s sharing stories and spreading joy through events like Vandy Camp.

Though the Odd Couple remake with Asner remains an unfulfilled dream, Dick’s legacy of laughter and positivity continues to inspire fans across generations.