It’s been two months since the Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday. On Thursday morning, fans went into full panic mode when Van Dyke was mistakenly announced dead on a radio show.
Van Dyke’s Death Mistakenly Announced
During today’s episode of Heart Radio’s Breakfast Show, reporter Ashley Roberts awkwardly mixed up names when sharing some “sad news” with hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston.
“Dawson’s Creek’s Dick Van Dyke has passed away,” Roberts accidentally stated on the live show’s broadcast.
Thankfully, Theakston immediately jumped in to correct her.
“Not Dick Van Dyke – come on,” Theakton said. “If you’re going to do a sensitive moment, if you’re going to do an obituary, you can’t just say Dick Van Dyke.”
“He’s alive,” Holden chimed in to add. Roberts, who is a former Pussycat Doll, could not help but laugh at her own mistake as she said, “Yes, [he’s alive] – he’s 100 years old!”
“Unbelievably, he’s very much still alive,” Theakston confirmed.
Roberts swiftly apologized for her mistake, saying, “Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I’m so sorry.”
Roberts proceeded to clarify that she’d actually been referring to the former Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek. Sadly, he died on Wednesday at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek’s family announced his death in an emotional Instagram post.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” they wrote. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time,” their statement continued. “Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and by their six children.
Van Dyke Turns 100
Meanwhile, Van Dyke is still very much alive. Indeed, he celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, 2025.
Right before his birthday, Van Dyke spoke out to joke, “I’ve never met anyone else who was 100 so I don’t know how to act.”
“I think of how rare it is that a person gets to do for a living, what they love to do,” he told People Magazine. “Most people have to go sit in an office. I never forgot that I look forward to getting up every morning and going to work, because it’s what I would’ve done for nothing. It was such fun.”
Even though he just turned 100, Van Dyke might still have many years yet to come.
“He’s totally with it,” said Van Dyke’s wife Arlene Silver, 54. “I just love that I’m part of this joyful movement.”
When asked about his incredible longevity last year, Van Dyke replied, “Somebody said, ‘To what do you attribute your age and physical condition?’ and I said, ‘I’ve always exercised’. Three days a week, we go to the gym – still. I get down and do a lot of stretching and yoga-type things, sit-ups.”
It’s very impressive that Van Dyke has made it to the age of 100. Sadly, it’s also extremely tragic that Van Der Beek died at the young age of 48. While we’re very happy that this radio show was mistaken in announcing Van Dyke’s death, we’re also sending thoughts and prayers to Van Der Beek’s family.
Rest in peace, James Van Der Beek.