Dick Van Dyke got sober over 50 years ago, but he still has to keep himself in check.
The 98-year-old Hollywood legend spoke at a news conference in Wednesday’s Hollywood ReporterAwardsWhile appearing on the podcast “Myers Sachs,” he was asked if he thought his rise to fame from the 1960s sitcom of the same name contributed to his alcoholism.
“I know performers who have to have a drink the minute the show ends, so I don’t remember doing that, but I didn’t need that,” Van Dyke said.
“I don’t know what triggered it,” he added. “I guess I got into the wrong company.”
THR reporter Scott Feinberg noted that genetics can also play a role in alcoholism.
“I’m obviously a genius,” Van Dyke admitted.
The four-time Emmy Award winner said his addiction began when he was a teenager.
“In high school, I was hanging out with buddies who smoked. I didn’t smoke. But they finally got me to smoke, and soon… [it took]”So you have to be careful,” he said.
Van Dyke hasn’t had a drink since 1972, when he was hospitalized for three weeks.
Two years later, Van Dyke played the role of a successful public relations writer with a serious drinking problem in the film “The Morning After.”
He said the role was “one of the best” of his career so far.
The number of people who decided to quit [drinking] … Because on the show, the guy doesn’t make it,” he said.
In 2016, Van Dyke told Oprah Winfrey that she found alcohol was a way to overcome her shyness.
“I was very shy and couldn’t speak to strangers,” he said at the time, “but I found that drinking alcohol helped me relax. My barriers came down and I became very sociable. That became my driving force.”
Van Dyke now abstains from alcohol and maintains a healthy lifestyle, famously hitting the gym the day before his 98th birthday in December.
Speaking about his fitness regime, he said: Forbes last month.
“It’s becoming more and more important,” he said. “I’m five months away from 99, so I would say to all of you who are older, get your legs in shape. If you can get around, you’re OK. That’s what I’m working on.”
The TV icon also credited his longevity to his active lifestyle.
“My mother lived to be 96. Everyone else died in their 60s and 70s. I published a book many years ago called ‘Keep Moving’ so I still work out every day. We try to go to the gym and do light weights and stuff. I think it’s about keeping moving,” he said.
