Dick Van Dyke – American comedian
Dick Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer. The first success was achieved in 1960 on Broadway when the actor received Tony Award for his role in the musical Bye Bye Birdie. Three years later, the musical was filmed and Van Dyke played in the movie. In 1964 he played the role in the film version of the musical Mary Poppins, for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe. From 1961 to 1966, Dick was a presenter of his own television show on CBS. The show received three Emmy awards. In 1979, Dyke together with actress Kathleen Quinlan starred in Stanley Kramer’s last film – drama The Runner Stumbles. In the 1990s the actor played the role of Dr. Mark Sloan in detective television series Diagnosis Murder.
Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri. His father was a traveling salesman for the Sunshine Biscuit Co and his mother was a housewife. Van Dyke has younger brother, Jerry, who also became an actor.
In 1944, Van Dyke enlisted in the Army Air Corps to help with the war effort and was stationed in Frederick, Oklahoma. After two years in the service, he returned to Danville and opened an ad agency with a good friend. However they went bankrupt.
In 1947, Van Dyke met Philip Erickson and they put together a comedy–pantomime act and toured nightclubs.
In February 1948 Dick married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Willett. They have four children.
From 1960–61 he starred in romantic Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie. The actor earned a Tony Award for his performance.
In 1961 The Dick Van Dyke Show hit the airwaves. Dyke turned the show into a legendary classic and earned three Emmys.
In 1964 the actor was a sensation as Bert, the joyful chimney sweep, in Mary Poppins.
In 1968, Van Dyke starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Between 1967 and 1975 he wrote and published three books, Altar Egos, Faith, Hope and Hilarity and Those Funny Kids.
By the early 1980s, his marriage was over. Later he dated Michelle Triola Marvin. Then 86-year-old actor married 40-year-old Arlene Silver.
In 1992, he began playing physician Mark Sloan in the television series Diagnosis Murder. His son also played in the series.
Photos from kinopopisk.ru