Dick Van Dyke Reflects on Aging Ahead of His 100th Birthday

Dick Van Dyke, the beloved actor who will celebrate his 100th birthday on December 13th, recently shared his thoughts on aging in an essay. Written for the British Times, he candidly discussed the realities of his health as he approaches this milestone.

“It’s frustrating to feel diminished in both body and social life,” Van Dyke expressed. “I sometimes receive invitations to events and performances in places like New York and Chicago, but I have to turn them down. Traveling can be exhausting for me, so I often prefer to host guests at my home.”

He also mentioned how recent news events have affected his mood. “Living through two wildfires in Southern California was tough, especially one that was quite devastating. Every day seems to come with its own chaos and challenges from those in power. Maybe I am just an old man who occasionally shouts at the TV,” he joked.

Van Dyke, who once embodied the youthful spirit of his characters, admits that age has finally caught up with him. “Now, I walk with a bit of a hunch, a limp, and I shuffle a bit. My legs give me trouble, so I often find myself lying down when I can,” he shared.

He humorously noted, “Unlike those actors who often portray old men smashing their dentures, I’m here chewing on nicotine gum all day. It’s been many years since I stopped smoking, and now my eyesight is so poor that I can’t even attempt origami. Conversations in groups have become challenging too, and while I do complain about my hearing aids, I’m not ready to call them ear trumpets. I’m not that old yet!”

He reflected on the bittersweetness of growing older, acknowledging both its ups and downs. Van Dyke has always portrayed characters with an underlying sadness—men whose prime were behind them. “I still make occasional TV appearances and commercials, but I truly miss the routine of being on a series every day. Losing one of my closest friends has certainly added to my loneliness,” he admitted.

But life isn’t all doom and gloom for Van Dyke. He emphasized the importance of staying active for both physical and mental health, which enables him to pursue his passion for dancing. “I try to hit the gym three times a week. I can’t explain why I feel the need to do this, but skipping it makes me feel stiff. I want to avoid that at all costs,” he remarked.

He described his gym routine, saying, “I usually do circuits, moving from machine to machine without taking breaks. I start with the ab machine—my wife, Arlene, claims she can do it 500 times, but I think she’s exaggerating. Then I focus on my legs—two of my most precious assets—followed by upper body exercises.”

Music plays a vital role in his workouts. “I find myself humming or singing while moving from one machine to another. When I feel particularly inspired, I go all out—think Broadway belting!”

On a more intimate note, he credits his love for Arlene, who he met back in 2006, as a huge factor in keeping his spirit alive. “Without a doubt, our ongoing romance is what prevents me from turning into a grumpy old man. Despite the age difference—she’s half my age—she makes me feel rejuvenated. Every single day, she uplifts me and encourages me in ways that keep me feeling young,” he reflected.

Finally, Van Dyke’s advice for tackling the challenges of aging is straightforward. “Don’t shy away from laughing at yourself. A sense of humor can really help you navigate the tougher parts of getting older,” he stated. “The more I age, the more I see life as a comedy of errors, and if you can’t laugh at yourself, well, that’s a major hurdle.”