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Dick Van Dyke Begins 100th Birthday Celebrations With Malibu Sing-Along Fundraiser

He uses the moment to share life lessons from a new book, reflecting on early-career sacrifices.

Overview

  • On Nov. 30, the 99-year-old hosted a two-hour sing-along at his Malibu home with wife Arlene Silver to benefit the Dick Van Dyke Museum, now in development, and The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts.
  • Backed by his quartet The Vantastix, he led favorites including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, You Two and Let’s Go Fly a Kite.
  • He told attendees he wants to revive conversation in a phone-obsessed culture and joked he may be the only American over 10 without a cell phone.
  • In a People cover interview, he recalled juggling game shows, nightclubs and a 5 a.m. radio shift on three to four hours of sleep, saying his children probably “got neglected” as he worked to escape poverty.
  • He credits Silver for keeping him youthful and says avoiding anger and hate underpins his longevity; his new book, 100 Rules for Living to 100, shares those lessons as he approaches his Dec. 13 birthday.