Dick Van Dyke Turns 100: Celebrating a Legendary Career from Broadway to Mary Poppins

Dick Van Dyke is celebrating his 100th birthday on December 13.

Born in West Plains, Missouri, Van Dyke began his career in local radio before making his mark on Broadway.

His first job was as a radio announcer at a station in Illinois while still in high school. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces, he formed a touring comedy mime group with his friend Phil Erickson, performing on local television shows in the early 1950s.

Van Dyke’s career took off from there. He made his Broadway debut in 1959 in the musical Bye Bye Birdie, playing Albert Peterson, a nervous songwriter. This performance was his big break and helped launch his career in television and film.

Spanning nearly eight decades, Van Dyke’s career includes successes in radio, Broadway, film and television, leaving an indelible mark on entertainment history.