Dick Van Dyke Spotted As He Celebrates 97th Birthday – ‘All My Friends Are Dead, So I’m Not Going To Complain’

The Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke is celebrating his 97th birthday today, and earlier this week, he was spotted shopping in Malibu, California with a huge smile on his face!

Van Dyke Celebrates 97th Birthday

When asked about his birthday by Daily Mail as he ran errands, Van Dyke replied, “Well, if I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself!”

One of the hardest parts about reaching an advanced age is watching friends pass away, but Van Dyke even managed to spin this in a lighthearted way when he was asked about the secret to living a long life.

“Well, I don’t know, all my friends are dead so I’m not going to complain!” he quipped.

Van Dyke went on to say that he doesn’t have any set plans for celebrating his birthday, as he instead plans to be “just hiding out!”

Van Dyke can often be seen shopping around Malibu near the home that he shares with his 51 year-old wife Arlene Silver, who he has been married to since 2012. Unlike many others who make it to 97, Van Dyke is still mentally sharp enough to drive himself around, allowing him to maintain his busy and active lifestyle. 

Back in October, Van Dyke was spotted outside the Malibu Community Labor Exchange, which helps match up people looking for work with employers. The Mary Poppins star could be seen handing out $5 bills to people as he made conversation with several individuals walking in and out of the facility.

“Whenever I have some fives I come by,” Van Dyke explained. “You can’t do it all the time, though.”

Full Story: Dick Van Dyke, 97, Spotted Outside Local Labor Center Handing Out Money To Those In Need

Van Dyke Shows Off His Workout Routine

During an interview in June of 2021, Van Dyke showed off his workout routine as he welcomed reporters into his home.

“I’m 95, and a lot of my friends won’t do these,” the “Dick Van Dyke Show” said at the time, according to The Express. “So all you old guys out there, listen to me, I’m telling you, you can keep going for a long [time].”

Find out more about this in the video below.

Van Dyke also made it clear that he’s not planning to start slowing down anytime soon.

“I’m looking forward to 100,” he said. “George Burns made it, and I’m gonna do it too.”

Burns was, of course, the Academy Award-winning comedic actor who was 100 years-old when he died back in 1996. 

Related: Dick Van Dyke ‘Just Glad To Still Be Here’ At 96

Van Dyke Reveals Secrets To Aging Well

Staying physically active appears to be Van Dyke’s biggest piece of advice when it comes to aging. He even wrote a book about this in 2015 that he fittingly called “Keep Moving and Other Tips and Truths About Aging.”

“Keep moving is the main thing. I think I reiterate three or four times in the book,” he said at the time, adding that people should avoid “going down the stairs sideways” because “it throws the hips out and the back starts to go out.”

“The next thing you know, you’ve fallen down and broken your hip,” he continued. “So even if it hurts a little, go down the stairs front-ways.”

Van Dyke has also said that a positive attitude is crucial when it comes to making it to an advanced age.

“It’s more in my nature to be optimistic, I think. I’m one of those people who gets up on the right side of the bed in the morning,” he previously said. “I get up and have a cup of coffee and go to the gym before I talk myself out of it because I will, as anybody will.”

Van Dyke is a true living legend, and we’re so glad to see that he’s still loving life. We’d like to wish him a very happy 97th birthday, and many more to come!