American actor Dick Van Dyke has turned 97 and the internet is praising the actor for his optimism. Dyke, who is popularly known for 60s musicals like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bye Bye Birdie, has proved his singing and acting talent in a career that has spanned over seven decades. In fact, Dyke believes that one of the things that keep him going at this age is him never stopping back. 

The actor, who has won several accolades, including 5 Primetime awards, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, last starred in Mary Poppin Returns in 2018 as Dawes Junior, a member of the board of a London bank.

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Here’s all you need to know about Dick Van Dyke:

Age: 

Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, and is currently 97 years old. 

Net Worth:

Celebrity Networth estimated Van Dyke’s net worth to be $50 million. Van Dyke earned his fortune through his acting roles in a multitude of successful projects, including films, musicals, and sitcoms. He also proceeded with some directorial ventures and produced several projects. 

Career:

Van Dyke started as a radio DJ in his hometown in the 1940s while being a part of the comedic duo with pantomime performer Phil Erickson. While they were touring the West Coast, Van Dyke got his break in the TV show The Merry Mutes, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early 1950s. 

He made his debut on Broadway in a production of “The Girls Against the Boys”, and went on to star in Bye Bye Birdie in 1960, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in 1961, and the musical itself won four Tony Awards. 

Afterwards, Van Dyke started his own TV sitcom called The Dick Van Dyke Show, which was very well received as it ran for six years, and won numerous accolades. Van Dyke followed up with several recreations of the original Sitcom, albeit not receiving similar success. 

He did step into several ventures afterward which elevated him to the status of an acclaimed actor.

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Dyke is also a published author and has penned 5 books under his name. 

Family:

Van Dyke married thrice and has four children. Van Dyke married his first wife, Margerie Willett in 1948, but the couple later divorced. The two had four children through their marriage. 

Van Dyke lived with his longtime partner Michelle Triola Marvin until she passed away in 2009. 

Van Dyke married makeup artist Arlene Silver in 2012.