Former Days of our Lives star Dick Van Dyke turned 100 with a body of work that doesn’t feel like a résumé so much as something people grew up with. The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang — those aren’t just credits, they’re memories that keep getting handed down. Even his turn as John’s long-lost father, Timothy, on DAYS resonated with fans. As he hit the milestone, his wife Arlene Silver talked about why he still feels so present to people, even now.
Key Takeaways
- Dick Van Dyke’s work continues to resonate across generations, from classic films to his DAYS role.
- Arlene Silver says he never fully grasped the scope of his popularity, often brushing it off as longevity.
- Fan reactions, especially from younger viewers, reinforced how present his work still feels.
- Silver shared that being with Van Dyke changed how she viewed age and timing in her own life.
- At 100, his legacy felt active and ongoing rather than reflective or ceremonial.
A Life That Never Slowed Its Spirit
Silver spoke with People about what daily life with Van Dyke looked like at 100, and she did not frame it as a farewell tour. “He is a little slower, but I mean, man, he’s still got it!” she remarked, brushing past the number itself. The focus stayed on energy, not age.
Silver said Van Dyke never really talked about his career in grand terms. “I tell him all the time, but I still don’t think he understands,” she said. The living legend chalked it up to his longevity. She then mentioned getting fan mail from a young child who had just discovered his show.
That presence shows up in small moments, like fan mail from children who had discovered his work long after it first aired. Silver described those stories as proof that his appeal was not frozen in time but continuing to move forward on its own. (Learn about Van Dyke’s 007 moment that got away.)
Why the Legacy Still Feels Personal
Silver said being with Van Dyke changed how she thought about age. “I guess he made me feel like you’re never too old to do anything,” she said. She pointed out that the two were both older when they first met, and their courtship began after she had turned 40.
She then brought up meeting his fans, who all had great stories. Some told her what his work meant to them, including people who were much younger than she expected. She said those moments stayed with her.
When Silver reflected on caring for him now, gratitude outweighed nostalgia. She spoke about good health, shared joy, and the strange clarity that comes with witnessing a life fully lived. “I just am grateful,” she said, framing his centennial not as an ending, but as another moment of connection.
At 100, Dick Van Dyke’s legacy did not feel sealed off or ceremonial. Through Silver’s eyes, it remained active, generous, and still in conversation with the world that grew up watching him. (Find out about Van Dyke’s musical twist with Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie).)
