Today marks Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, and the Walt Disney Archives and D23 are celebrating his career with a look at his Disney projects throughout the years.
Dick Van Dyke’s Disney Legacy
Born on December 13, 1925, Dick Van Dyke was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1998, and is most notably know as Bert in 1964’s Mary Poppins. However, the actor has lent his face, voice, and humor to several other Disney projects over the years.
Around the same time Van Dyke was starring in his successful ’60s sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, Walt Disney approached him about playing Bert in his big-screen adaptation of P.L. Travers’ beloved book. He ended up playing both Burt and Mr. Dawes, Sr., the chairman of the bank who eventually succumbs to laughter. This began Dick Van Dyke’s long and meaningful partnership with Disney, starring in Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966), Never a Dull Moment (1968), and Dick Tracy (1990).
Later in life, the Disney Legend lent his voice to Goofy’s pirate grandpappy, Captain Goof–Beard in the animated series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2014). Just after, he hosted ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney in 2015. Most recently, Van Dyke appeared as Mr. Dawes, Jr. (the son of the cameo character he portrayed in the original film) in Mary Poppins Returns—starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Recently, Van Dyke also commented on his personal relationship with Walt Disney, believing himself to be the last living person to know “the real Walt Disney,” even though that’s actually not true.
What is your favorite Dick Van Dyke film? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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