Dick Van Dyke –a Biography and Filmography

Dick Van Dyke, is there anyone who does not know this name? Born in 1925 to Loren and Hazel Van Dyke he grew up to be a well-known actor, comedian, writer and producer and starred in films such as Mary Poppins (Bert), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Caractacus Potts) and, more recently, Diagnosis Murder and Night at the Museum.

Who is Dick Van Dyke?

Dick Van Dyke as we have mentioned was born in 1925 to Loren and Hazel Van Dyke in West Plains, Missouri and he grew up in Danville, Illinois. In 1948 he married Margie Willet and they had four children – Christian, Barry (who co-starred in Diagnosis Murder), Carrie Beth and Stacy.

After a long separation he divorced Margie in 1984 and until 2009 lived with Michelle Triola.

Dick Van Dyke in Film and Television

Van Dyke started his acting career in television with WDSU-TV New Orleans Channel 6, later moving onto network TV and then into film. He is perhaps best known for his role in Mary Poppins where he played the duel roles of Bert and the chairman of the bank. Other films in which he starred included:

• Bye Bye Birdie as Albert Peterson
• Lt Robinson Crusoe as Lt Robinson Crusoe
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as Caracatus Potts
• Night at the Museum as Cecil Fredericks

And this is by no means an exhaustive list – for more information you can check out the Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Van_Dyke).

Let us know what you think of Dick Van Dyke by filling in your comments below –do you love him or hate him? What is your best or worst film or television show of his? Tell us your thoughts.