Dick Van Dyke’s career has spanned almost eight decades across stage, television, and film. His journey into show business started with touring as half of the comedy duo The Merry Mutes, then going on to co-anchor “The CBS Morning Show” with Walter Cronkite, before becoming a household name with “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” In his defining role as comedy writer Rob Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” his charm and physicality delighted audiences across the nation. He later went on to star in beloved films “Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” Van Dyke’s performances have earned him multiple Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony. His enduring career, marked by physical comedy, musicality, and genuine warmth, has made him one of America’s most cherished entertainers.
This timeline explores Dick Van Dyke’s life and the major milestones in his career.
Richard Wayne Van Dyke is born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri and grows up in Danville, Illinois.
Dick answers an ad in the local newspaper and is hired as part-time on-air talent at WDAN radio in Danville. He later enlists in the Army Air Force to serve during World War II. After the war is over in 1945, Dick returns to WDAN and continues his on-air work.
Dick meets Phil Erickson who proposes they form a comedy act called The Merry Mutes, miming to popular records of the day. They drive out to California and find work in nightclubs and hotels in and around Los Angeles.
The Merry Mutes perform in venues across the country, eventually settling down in Atlanta, Georgia. They become a featured act at the Henry Grady Hotel.
The Merry Mutes make their national TV debut on Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the Town” program on CBS.
Dick takes a job as an announcer at WLWA in Atlanta. Later, he is paired with Fran Adams Kearton on “The Fran and Dick Show” (aka “The Music Shop”), a five-day-a-week show featuring comedy skits and musical performances.
Dick and Phil, as The Merry Mutes, appear on “Chance of a Lifetime,” a national talent show on ABC hosted by Dennis James.
“The Merry Mutes Show” premieres on WSB-TV in Atlanta. It’s a one-hour show broadcast Monday through Friday at 1 p.m.
Dick splits from Phil and moves to New Orleans to star in “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” a ten-minute daily show on WDSU-TV.
Dick does a closed-circuit audition for CBS in front of an audience following a live broadcast of “The Jane Froman Show.” He is rewarded with a seven-year contract by the network.
Dick debuts as host of “The Morning Show” on CBS television. The show airs from 7 to 8 a.m., five days-a-week with Walter Cronkite as the newsman. Dick remains with the show until February 17, 1956.
Dick hosts “CBS Cartoon Theater,” a filmed show for kids in which Dick introduces cartoons and interacts with animated characters such as Heckle and Jeckle.
The game show “Nothing But The Truth” premieres on CBS (the following week the title is changed to “To Tell The Truth”). Hosted by John Cameron Swayze, Dick is a panelist alongside Polly Bergen and Hildy Parks. Dick is replaced after seven shows.
Dick makes his sitcom debut in an episode of “The Phil Silvers Show” on October 1, 1957. Having impressed the producers, Dick is booked for a second episode of the show on January 24, 1958.
Dick makes an appearance on “The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom” on January 30, 1958. Impressing producers, Dick appears again on March 6, 1958, singing “Mention My Name In Sheboygan” alongside Pat Boone and Shirley Jones.
Dick is a regular on “The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams,” a summer replacement show on ABC.
“Mother’s Day,” a daytime game show debuts on ABC with Dick as host. The show is canceled on January 2, 1959.
Dick hosts another game show, “Laugh Line,” on NBC in primetime. The show is canceled on June 11, 1959.
Dick makes his Broadway debut in “The Girls Against the Boys,” starring Bert Lahr, Nancy Walker, and Shelley Berman, a stage production featuring songs and comedy sketches. Dick receives good reviews, but the show closes after just 16 performances.
Dick stars in a failed sitcom pilot, “The Trouble with Richard,” that airs on CBS.
“Bye Bye Birdie” opens on Broadway with Dick in a leading role. He performs until April 8, 1961.
“The Dick Van Dyke Show” premieres on CBS. During its five years on the air, Dick wins three Emmy Awards for his performance as Rob Petrie.
Dick makes his movie debut in the film version of “Bye Bye Birdie” with a cast that includes Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, and Ed Sullivan.
Dick speaks at the Religious Witness for Human Dignity event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dick’s speech is written especially for him by the celebrated writer, Rod Serling, creator of “The Twilight Zone.”
“Mary Poppins,” which Dick stars in with Julie Andrews, makes its world debut.
“The Art of Love,” Dick’s third film, is released. He stars alongside James Garner, Elke Sommer, and Angie Dickinson.
The final episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” airs on CBS.
The first Dick Van Dyke TV special airs on CBS.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” with Dick in the lead role, makes its world premiere in London.
Dick’s third TV special, “Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman,” a reunion with Mary Tyler Moore, airs on CBS.
A new film starring Dick, “The Comic,” is released.
Based on an idea by Dick, “Cold Turkey,” a film written and directed by Norman Lear, premieres.
“The New Dick Van Dyke Show” premieres on CBS. It runs for three years before leaving the air on March 18, 1974.
Dick stars in a landmark made-for-television film, “The Morning After,” which airs on ABC and brings Dick an Emmy nomination.
Dick is reunited with Julie Andrews in a TV special, “Julie and Dick at Covent Garden” on ABC.
Dick is the sole guest on a 90-minute episode of “The Dick Cavett Show”.
On October 30, 1975, “Van Dyke & Company,” a pilot for a new variety show, airs as a special on CBS. The show is picked up as a weekly series by NBC on September 20, 1976, lasting 11 episodes before being canceled.
Dick tours the country in the lead role in a revival of the musical comedy, “The Music Man.”
Dick guest stars in an episode of “The Golden Girls” and earns another Emmy nomination.
Dick stars in three made-for-TV movies as Dr. Mark Sloan, which lay the foundation for a new series, “Diagnosis Murder.”
“Diagnosis Murder” premieres on CBS and runs for eight seasons, with the final episode airing on May 11, 2001.
Dick appears alongside Mary Tyler Moore in a PBS production of “The Gin Game.”
“Night at the Museum” premieres with Dick in a supporting role.
The sequel to “Mary Poppins,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Colin Firth, with a supporting appearance from Dick Van Dyke, premieres in Los Angeles.
Dick appears on a four-episode arc on daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” He wins an Emmy for his performance, becoming, at the time, the oldest recipient of an Emmy award in TV history.
Dick is featured in a music video for a new song, “All My Love,” by Coldplay.
Dick turns 100 years young.
