Dick Van Dyke Hits 100, Credits Kicking Bad Habits for His Longevity
Reaching 100 years is rare, especially in Hollywood. Dick Van Dyke marked that milestone on December 13, and the celebration sparked fresh interest in how the screen legend has stayed active and sharp for so long. The answer, according to Van Dyke, comes down to honest self-awareness and two life-altering decisions made decades ago.
During a Vandy High Tea event at his Malibu home on November 30, the “Mary Poppins” star spoke candidly about the lifestyle changes that played a major role in his longevity. Alcohol and cigarettes, once a regular part of his life, are no longer part of the picture.
Van Dyke admitted that recognizing personal limits came later than expected.
“I smoked a lot, actually! I think I was probably in my 50s before it dawned on me that I had an addictive personality. If I liked something, I was going to overdo it.”
That realization pushed him toward decisive action. He chose to quit both alcohol and smoking, a move he believes directly impacted his health and lifespan.
Instagram | @alauravandyke | Dick Van Dyke credits his 100-year milestone to quitting smoking and drinking decades ago.
A turning point also came from witnessing the consequences faced by others. While working with Walt Disney, Van Dyke saw firsthand how heavy smoking took a toll. Disney died of lung cancer in 1966, an outcome Van Dyke did not want to share.
“So I got rid of booze and cigarettes and all that stuff, which is probably why I’m still here,” he said.
This was not an easy shift. In 1972, the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” actor checked himself into a hospital for alcoholism. He later shared that giving up cigarettes proved even tougher.
On the “Really No Really” podcast in 2023, Van Dyke explained, “It was much worse than the alcohol. I’m still chewing the nicotine gum.”
Facing Aging With Humor and Resolve
Even at 100, Van Dyke speaks openly about the realities of aging. In a recent essay for the Sunday Times, he described the physical and social changes that come with time.
“It’s frustrating to feel diminished in the world, physically and socially,” he wrote. He compared himself to his old on-screen characters, calling himself “a stooper, a shuffler and a teeterer,” while noting ongoing foot problems and frequent rest.
Instagram | @alauravandyke | Dick Van Dyke faces aging with honesty and humor, and he stays positive by choosing gratitude and daily engagement with life.
Still, humor remains a constant companion.
“My sight is so bad now that origami is out of the question,” he joked. “I have trouble following group conversations and complain frequently about my hearing aids, though I would never refer to them as ear trumpets. I’m not that old.”
Beyond the jokes lies a steady mindset. Van Dyke has consistently refused to let setbacks define his outlook.
“I’ve made it to 99 in no small part because I have stubbornly refused to give into the bad stuff in life: failures and defeats, personal losses, loneliness and bitterness, the physical and emotional pains of aging,” he shared. “That stuff is real but I have not let it define me.”
A Life Defined by Choice and Perspective
Dick Van Dyke often describes life as something meant to be experienced fully, even with its limits. Rather than treating life like an obligation, he views it as an ongoing source of curiosity and joy.
“For the vast majority of my years, I have been in what I can only describe as a full-on bear hug with the experience of living,” he said. “Being alive has been doing life — not like a job but rather like a giant playground.”
At 100, Van Dyke’s story highlights how awareness, restraint, and attitude can shape a lifetime. His journey offers a clear message: longevity is not about perfection, but about knowing when to let go of what no longer serves well-being.