Beloved entertainment icon Dick Van Dyke has joyously celebrated his 100th birthday, marking the milestone with a weekend of festivities that included a surprise flash mob and an intimate party at his Californian home.
A Perfect Centenary Celebration
Over the weekend, the legendary actor and dancer was treated to an extravagant celebration for his landmark centenary. The highlight was a surprise flash mob on Saturday, orchestrated by his wife, makeup artist Arlene Silver, 54. The performance featured a medley of Van Dyke's most iconic songs, delighting the star.
Following the public surprise, the couple hosted a more personal gathering at their Malibu dream home, surrounded by close family and friends. Speaking to People magazine the next day, Silver described the event as "perfect" and expressed her relief and happiness at how everything unfolded. "It went so perfect — just everything," she said. "And he was so happy. His face, I love to make him have that face."
Secrets to a Century of Life
In the lead-up to his birthday, Van Dyke candidly shared the lifestyle choices he credits for his remarkable longevity. He revealed that quitting addictive vices was crucial. He gave up drinking in 1972 after alcohol "ruined" his life, attending a two-week rehab stint and following the AA 12-step programme. He also quit a heavy cigarette habit, noting he is "very lucky I still have my lungs."
The star maintains an active routine, visiting the gym multiple times a week for weightlifting and swimming to stay limber. He also follows a careful diet, starting each day with a breakfast of bran and blueberries, which he calls a "great anti-oxidant," and takes daily vitamins.
Van Dyke admits to sometimes feeling "diminished" but focuses on staying positive and active. "Sometimes I have more energy than others, but I never wake up in a bad mood," he told People. He credits his wife, Arlene, for his sustained joy, saying she "kept me happy every day of my life."
A Legacy of Joy and a Look to the Future
To commemorate the occasion, Van Dyke released a new book titled 100 Rules for Living to 100, distilling the wisdom from his illustrious life and career. The birthday weekend also featured limited screenings of Dick Van Dyke: A 100th Celebration at venues across Los Angeles.
Despite previously expressing fears about reaching 100 and sadness at outliving friends and family, the star now says he "feels really good for 100." He reflects on his life without fear. "When you expire, you expire. I don't have any fear of death for some reason," he stated. "I've had such a wonderfully full and exciting life. That I can't complain."
The Emmy-winning actor, famed for roles in classics like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has no plans to fully retire, quipping, "Retirement's the one thing I have never figured out how to do. I actually did officially retire at 75, but I've been busy ever since."
