The beginnings of him as a presenter for CBS
Brother of actor Jerry Van Dyke ('Coach'), father of interpreter Barry Van Dyke ('Diagnosis Murder'), and grandfather of Shane Van Dyke, screenwriter of 'Don't Worry, dear' and actor of 'Titanic II', the performance runs through the veins of the Van Dyke family. Of Dutch and English descent, Dick Van Dyke discovered his passion for acting after seeing 'The Fat and the Skinny' in his childhood and going to the school theater in Danville (Illinois, USA), although his first approach to television was as a presenter on 'The CBS Morning Show', in 1955. A facet in which we see him in the image on the left and that would start a successful career.
His arrival on Broadway: the beginning of a stellar career
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After stints in the US Army in World War II, a brief job at an advertising agency, and the creation of the musical comedy group The Merry Mutes, Dick Van Dyke landed his first Broadway role in the musical 'Girls Against Boys'. (1959). The first steps of him as an actor.
The birth of a milestone: 'The Dick Van Dyke Show
Landing him on the 'Dick Van Dyke Show' catapulted him to fame. A series created by Carl Reiner, which aired up to 158 episodes, between 1961 and 1966. The fiction swept audiences in the US and earned Dick up to three Emmy Awards.
His first film: 'A kiss for Birdie'
His great successes on television and on Broadway led to his landing a role in the musical 'A Kiss for Birdie' in 1961, for which he received a Tony Award. A work that was filmed in 1963 by George Sidney. The film received two Oscar nominations and marked Dick's film debut, after small roles in series such as 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'.
The most remembered success of his career: 'Mary Poppins'
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Just one year after the movie 'A Kiss for Birdi', the American actor premiered the film 'She and her husbands, as well as one of the films for which he would be remembered throughout the world, 'Mary Poppins'. '. A film in which he played the chimney sweep friend of the famous governess played by Julie Andrews, as well as the banker Mr. Dawes Senior. The movie won five Oscars and became a classic over time.
Between dance and humor
Actor, presenter, comedian, producer, screenwriter, and writer of books such as 'My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business' (2011), Dick Van Dyke has appeared credited in more than 80 series and films. The North American has always been characterized by the little dances and songs of his characters, as well as by the best humor.
The best roles of a long career
Following the success of 'Mary Poppins', Van Dyke's love of acting, comedy, and, dancing were reflected in roles in films such as 'Lieutenant Robinson' (Byron Paul, 1966), 'My Wife's Boyfriend' (Bud Yorki, 1967), 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (Ken Hughes, 1968) and his return to 'The New Dick Van Dyke Show' (broadcast between 1971–1974).
A test of overcoming: his fight against alcoholism
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Despite his kinder face before the public, Dick Van Dyke suffered personal problems. He not only admitted that he was an alcoholic during the filming of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'Mary Poppins', but that he had been for 25 years, starting out as a social drinker. "He was very shy. He couldn't talk to anyone. Then I saw that if I had a drink, I relaxed," he confessed to Oprah Winfrey in the past.
The passage of him to maturity and a momentary wear
During the following years, the actor suffered wear and tear on the screen, which caused him to participate in small-scale productions, while his appearance changed and welcomed maturity, which would later mean the door was open to a series of new successes. A few years that coincided with a resurgence of 'The Van Dyke Show', in 1988, with 10 episodes.
The 80s and his return to Broadway
In the 80's he returned to the theaters with 'The Music Man', a new version of the musical created by Meredith Willson. A successful production that for three weeks was represented at the City Center in New York and was a new foray for the actor on the stage.
