Posted on 12/12/2025 7:43:28 PM PST by Ken H
Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, on December 13, 1925. He was raised in Danville, Illinois. At one time, he considered being a minister because of his mother’s religious influences, but a high school drama class would ignite in him a love of entertainment.
In his senior year, Van Dyke dropped out of Danville High and joined the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He served as a radio operator before being transferred to Special Services to entertain the troops.
Me too, I'm 75. Loved the opening scene of him tripping over the couch in the TV show and the funny scenes of him and his coworkers as TV writers and of course the beautiful Mary Tyler Moore bursting into tears over some little thing "Oh Rob!"
I saw him play the lead in “The Music Man” in Hollywood in 1980. He had a cold that night, but it didn’t affect his superb performance.
There is a major thoroughfare in West Plains named after Porter Waggoner.
Also baseball players Preacher Roe and Bill Virdon.
The hwy 63 bypass is named after country singer Jan Howard.
There isn’t any street that I know of named after Dick Van Dyke.
No thanks. Just another big time Hollywood Leftist.
She passed in 2017. Aged 80.
Now he can join George Burns and Bob Hope
One of the most likable and talented entertainers of our time.
I wish him all the luck in the world. I wonder what kind of shape he is in. At 87 I was slowing down and thinking about my end. Then my brother told me that in a conversation with my grandfather who died at age 98, he learned that two of grandpa’s sisters had lived to 103 and 104. I know that one of these women had celebrated her 93rd birthday in a castle in England while traveling with a tour group. So she lived either 10 or 11 years after that. It gave me a new perspective on my future and I am making some interesting plans that are new in my thinking.
Dick van Dyke Put on a Happy Face – BYE BYE BIRDIE on Ed Sullivan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO801oH92mg
Yuck. Another Hollywood Leftie.
DVD and me share the same birthday (I’m a lot younger than he), and I’ve also been to West Plains, MO, cruising along Porter Wagner Blvd.
Right! Didn’t he say he hoped he would die before Trump was inaugurated? I loved him on TV and in movies, but now - yuck!
Agreed!
Dick has been kind of a dick politically speaking.
Saw a PBS documentary on him last night which had video of him moonwalking in 1958. (Take that Michael).
I've enjoyed the non-offensive and funny roles he's played but him coming out woke has ruined his persona.
Hopefully Mel Brooks can make it to June 28th next year. I think he'd be next to join the club.
I’m happy to hear you’re making FUTURE plans! Do what you can while you’re still able.
My family is a mixed bag. Most live well into their 80’s, but we’ve lost a few much younger to cancers and such.
My Mom is 88 and runs circles around me at 65. I predict she will be doing SOMETHING constructive when she passes!
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