Dick Van Dyke

Richard Wayne Van Dyke (born December 13, 1925, West Plains, Missouri) is an American comic actor, best known for his self-titled 1960s sitcom and his later series Diagnosis Murder. He was featured in an episode of The New Scooby-Doo Movies and narrated the Christmas special The Town Santa Forgot.

Biography

Although he'd had small roles beforehand, Dick Van Dyke was launched to stardom in the 1960 musical Bye-Bye Birdie, for which he won a Tony Award, and, later in the movie based on that play, Bye Bye Birdie (1963). He has starred in a number of films throughout the years, including Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Fitzwilly (1967), as well as a number of successful television series which won him no fewer than four Emmys and three made-for-CBS movies.

As a struggling actor, Van Dyke worked as a television game show host, among other odd jobs. He was the host of Mother's Day (1958) and Laugh Line (1959), but turned down The Price Is Right (1956).

After separating from his wife, Margie Willett, in the 1970s, Van Dyke later became involved with Michelle Triola. Margie and Dick had four children born during the first ten years of their marriage: Barry, Carrie Beth, Christian and Stacy, all of whom are now in their 40s with their own families. Dick has seven grandchildren, including Shane, Carey, Wes and Taryn [Barry's children], and family members often appear with him on Diagnosis Murder (1993).

The New Scooby-Doo Movies

When Mystery Inc. arrived at a carnival they discovered it completely abandoned except for Dick Van Dyke asleep in a ticket booth and discovered he owned it. He then disguised himself as a carnival barker and a strongman to make the gang think it was not abandoned. After his strongman disguise failed, he revealed to them that the reason for the carnival being abandoned was that it was haunted by the ghost of a strongman. He then helped Scooby-Doo and the gang subdue the ghost.

Gallery

External Links

• Dick Van Dyke at the Internet Movie Database