Why Conan O’Brien had an "out-of-body experience" with Dick Van Dyke
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7sVideo has Closed Captions
Conan O’Brien had a dream come true when Dick Van Dyke appeared on his show.
Conan O’Brien recounts having Dick Van Dyke on his talk show. It’s a dream come true for Conan when they dance together, and he recalls meeting him as an "out-of-body experience."
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
Support provided by:
Why Conan O’Brien had an "out-of-body experience" with Dick Van Dyke
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7sVideo has Closed Captions
Conan O’Brien recounts having Dick Van Dyke on his talk show. It’s a dream come true for Conan when they dance together, and he recalls meeting him as an "out-of-body experience."
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch American Masters
American Masters is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
A front row seat to the creative process
How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- I have these little moments in my career where they're for me.
I hope people at home are cool with it, but this one's for me and I've had a few of those every now and then.
And getting to have Dick on my television show was the religious experience.
Absolute thrill to have you here.
- Oh, thank you very much.
I'm a fan, you know.
- Oh well, thank you very much.
- Oh yeah.
Oh, I like the way you move.
You move pretty good.
(audience laughing) - Dick, this is getting creepy.
It just never occurred to me that I would meet Dick Van Dyke.
Suddenly he's there, and I have an out-of-body experience.
(audience laughing) (jaunty music) And he was so nice and genuine.
(audience cheering) - That's a dream come true for me.
- He's the Dick Van that I wanted him to be.
He is that guy.
(upbeat music)
Dick Van Dyke was an early advocate for civil rights
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7s | On May 31st, 1964, Dick Van Dyke delivered a speech on race relations. (1m 7s)
How "The Dick Van Dyke Show" took inspiration from its leading man
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 54s | Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy was incorpoated into his main character's persona. (54s)
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: 12/12/2025 | 2m 8s | Ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of iconic actor Dick Van Dyke. (2m 8s)
Watch this footage from an unaired Dick Van Dyke pilot
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 58s | Dick Van Dyke showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story. (1m 58s)
What made the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" special
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 49s | There were two variants of the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" involving an ottoman. (1m 49s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...