The Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke is set to turn 100 years-old in December. Sadly, fears are growing that he won’t make it to this milestone birthday. Indeed, it’s being reported that Van Dyke’s loved ones are “terrified” that he won’t live to see 100 after all.
Fears For Van Dyke’s Health
Sources told Radar Online that Van Dyke is frailer these days. That’s why he’s skipped some recent events in an attempt to not overexert himself.
“He can’t possibly go to all these events, no matter how much he wants to,” said one insider.
Last month, we reported that Van Dyke had backed out at the last minute of hosting his musical fundraiser, Vandy Camp, in the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater at Malibu High School.
“Dick is not up to coming to celebrate with us today. I’m sorry,” his wife Arlene Silver, 53, said at the time. “When you’re 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days. And unfortunately, today is not a good day for him, and he’s sick that he can’t be here.”
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A source close to Van Dyke described the former Mary Poppins star as being “a freak of nature, given how sprightly he is. But when he sneezes, people worry about him.”
“He’s slowing down,” this insider explained. “One day he’ll be feeling great and wanting to get out and see people, and the next, he’ll feel weak and out of sorts.”
“Some events he simply can’t do,” the source concluded. “He used to be a regular fixture at the gym, but he doesn’t go so much anymore. He’s not going out to see friends, and they can only see him at his home when he’s up for it. Everybody desperately hopes he can make it to 100 and beyond, but there are fears he won’t.”
Van Dyke Discusses His Longevity
Van Dyke is set to turn 100 on December 13, 2025. In July of last year, Van Dyke opened up about his incredible longevity.
“Attitude about life I think has a lot to do with it,” Van Dyke told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “I’ve always looked at the good side, I guess, and expected good things to happen.”
In an April interview, Van Dyke said that despite nearing 100, he has no plans to slow down.
“I love what I do for a living,” he said. Silver quickly chimed in to add, “[But] the minute he says that — the phone rings, and he’s like, ‘I don’t want to go there.’ If they come to our house, he will work all the time.”
‘Curse Of Living To Almost 100’
One month later, however, Van Dyke and Silver opened up about the “curse” of living to nearly 100. They revealed that Van Dyke and his longtime friend Ed Asner of The Mary Tyler Moore Show fame were set to appear in a remake of the classic comedy The Odd Couple. Sadly, Asner ended up passing away in August of 2021 at the age of 91 before this could happen.
“That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,” Van Dyke lamented.
“He’s outlived everybody,” Silver explained. “That’s the curse of living to almost 100.”
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With just over four months left to go before Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, we certainly hope that he makes it there. Please join us in saying a prayer for the legendary Dick Van Dyke!
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