A Documentary Honoring Dick Van Dyke on his 100th Birthday Being Released in Movie Theaters on December 13th

Richard Wayne Van Dyke, popularly known as "Dick Van Dyke", the beloved star of "Mary Poppins" alongside Julie Andrews, and the classic black and white television sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show", will be turning a hundred years old on December 13th , 2025. As the good - natured Dick Van Dyke puts it, the secret to a long life is "Don't act your age!" And to commemorate his milestone 100th birthday, Fathom Entertainment is releasing a documentary featuring Dick Van Dyke as he returns back to his hometown of Danville, Illinois, in movie theaters nationwide entitled, "Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration".

A feature-length film documentary produced by Emmy award winning filmmakers Steve Boettcher and Michael Trinklein, "Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration", the documentary will feature Dick Van Dyke as he shares personal memories about his unlikely big break into Hollywood and his classic warm and friendly sense of humor. Described as "a labor of love", the documentary will focus on how Dick Van Dyke, as a triple threat performer since he can sing, dance, and act, has brought smiles to generations of audiences all throughout his eighty-year performing career.

Public Television, will also be honoring Dick van Dyke as he turns 100 by airing "American Masters – Starring Dick Van Dyke" on Friday, December 12th, 2025 at 8PM Central Time. This documentary will explore Dick Van Dyke's early days as a radio disc jockey and nightclub performer as well as how he has become one of the most cherished performers of the 20th century. For those who can't watch the PBS documentary on its air date, it will be available to stream for free beginning on December 13th (Dick Van Dyke's actual birthday) at pbs.org/americanmasters

Turner Classic Movies, also known as TCM, is joining in the commemoration of Dick Van Dyke's 100th Birthday, as well. As TCM will be airing the feature films starring Dick Van Dyke "Bye Bye Birdie", "Mary Poppins", and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on his birthday beginning at noon. And not to be left out from the celebration, Danville, Illinois, Dick Van Dyke's hometown, is having a birthday celebration this weekend called "Fischer Fest", which is named after the historic Fischer Theatre in Danville. The Dick Van Dyke birthday celebration in Danville will have a premier showing of the documentary, "Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration". The celebration in Danville will also include a giant birthday card for Dick Van Dyke that fans can come and sign.

This Sunday, December 07th, 2025, there is even a Dick Van Dyke inspired costume contest being held at the Malibu City Hall in Malibu, California. Those wishing to don their favorite chimney sweep costume can participate in the contest by registering at malibufilmsociety.org. The contest will be judged by Dick Van Dyke's wife, Arlene.

Born in West Plains, Missouri, Dick Van Dyke grew up in Danville, Illinois and traces his family ancestry back to John Alden of the Mayflower, the ship that landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 in Massachusetts. He considered becoming a minister while growing up, but while participating in the a cappella choir in high school in Danville and their drama club, he decided to become a professional entertainer. And, in fact, while in the drama club in Danville High School, he performed with other soon to be famous actors, as well. For Donald O'Connor, of the "Francis the Talking Mule" movie series, performed in the drama club at that time, as well.

With World War II looming, Dick Van Dyke left high school during his senior year to join the United States Army. Despite their need of men, the tall and lanky Dick Van Dyke, was deemed too thin for the army and he was denied enlistment until finally being accepted as a radio announcer for the army. Dick van Dyke later went back and received his high school diploma in 2004.

Although, not a trained dancer, Dick Van Dyke, is most famous for his dance routine as Bert, the chimney sweep, in "Mary Poppins". A film role that features Dick Van Dyke in the dance routine known as "Step In Time". The reason he was cast in the film despite not being a trained dancer was because Walt Disney had heard him say that there wasn't enough family entertainment around and, on that basis, he brilliantly cast Dick Van Dyke in the iconic role.

The son of Loren "Cookie" Van Dyke and Hazel McCord Van Dyke, Dick Van Dyke says he never wanted to be an actor. In fact, he still doesn't consider himself an actor. He thinks of himself as a "song-and-dance man". And through his song and dance, although, he did not appear in his first movie until he was 36 years of age, Dick Van Dyke has been a purveyor of joy via the cinema for the better part of the 20th century. With his legacy living on in the 21st century via the durability of his classic films.

Those wishing to purchase tickets for the "Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration" being aired in movie theaters nationwide the weekend of Dick van Dyke's birthday, may do so at https://www.fathomentertainement.com.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa Attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist.