As Dick Van Dyke celebrates his remarkable 100th birthday today, the legendary entertainer remains as spirited as ever. His wife, Arlene Silver, shared with heartfelt admiration, “He is a little slower, but I mean, man, he’s still got it!”
Despite the milestone, Van Dyke recently told PEOPLE he “feels about 13.” While he admits he sometimes forgets what he had for breakfast, he still flawlessly remembers lyrics to his favorite show tunes. “I don’t know why, but I just do,” he says with a grin.
With unforgettable performances in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Van Dyke has become a cherished figure across generations. Silver reflects on his enduring legacy, saying, “He’ll live on forever.”
Yet, the icon himself may not fully grasp the depth of his impact. “I tell him all the time, but I still don’t think he understands,” Silver says. “He’s like, ‘Oh. I’ve been around a long time.’ It’s beyond that. You’re in people’s blood, in their hearts and souls. How many people can say that? I got fan mail from a 4-year-old whose favorite show is The Dick Van Dyke Show. It’s so beautiful.”
After nearly two decades together, Silver says her husband has taught her invaluable life lessons. “He made me feel like you’re never too old to do anything,” she explains. “People say, ‘Oh, I’m too old at 40,’ but my life kind of started at 40 — my new life with him.”
During a recent interview and photo shoot with PEOPLE at his Malibu home, Van Dyke joked, “I’ve never met anyone else who was 100 so I don’t know how to act.” He sang along to classic tunes, even played the trombone, and radiated his signature joy.
“I think of how rare it is that someone gets to do what they love for a living,” he reflected. “Most people have to sit in an office. I never forgot how lucky I was to get up every morning and go to work, because it was what I loved to do. It was such fun.”
Silver remembers their first meeting at the 2006 SAG Awards fondly. “I didn’t know a lot about him,” she admits. “But his fans helped me understand through social media what he means to them. I got to help connect him with fans in a way he hadn’t before, and that’s been such a beautiful experience.”
“I’m just so grateful,” she adds. “It’s an honor to be his wife, to care for him and make him as happy as he deserves. I receive so many blessings in return. It’s amazing — to think his 90th birthday was ten years ago, and now he’s 100. I’m just thankful he’s in good health.”
“He’s completely with it,” she concludes with a smile. “And I love being part of this joyful journey.”