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.