Aging icon Dick Van Dyke discusses the friendships he's had to part ways with as he approaches his centennial milestone.
Veteran actor Dick Van Dyke, now 99, spoke candidly about aging during a Q&A session at the Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event in Malibu. A poignant moment came when he shared that he has outlived most of his friends.
One of the projects he had been looking forward to was a remake of the 1970 sitcom, The Odd Couple, alongside his longtime friend Ed Asner. However, plans for the remake were never fully realized due to Asner's death in August 2021 at the age of 91.
"That would've been such fun, and we lost it. I've lost a lot of friends," Van Dyke reflected. His wife, Arlene, added that her husband has "outlived everybody" in his life, lamenting, "That's the curse of living to almost 100."
Despite these losses, Van Dyke maintained an optimistic outlook, saying, "Well, life's been good to me. I can't complain." Arlene noted his continued positive attitude, and he agreed, expressing his gratitude for his ongoing career and opportunities to make new connections.
In the past, Van Dyke has shared that there are few left of his famous friends as he nears his 100th year. However, he continues to forge new relationships[1][2][3]. The details about the progress of the The Odd Couple remake were not disclosed before Asner's passing, leaving the status of the project uncertain[1][2][3]. With Asner's death, it appears that the remake has been completely halted[1][3].
[1] Van Dyke, D. (n.d.). Dick Van Dyke Interview: 'Moving On' from Loss of Friends. CBS Morning. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dick-van-dyke-interview-moving-on-from-loss-of-friends/[2] New York Times Obituary. (2021, August 27). Ed Asner, Crusty, Gruff, and Humane, Dies at 91. New York Times. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/obituaries/ed-asner-dead.html[3] Variety Staff. (2021, August 26). Ed Asner, Legendary Star of 'Mary Tyler Moore' and 'Lou Grant,' Dies at 91. Variety. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/ed-asner-dead-91-actor-obituary-1235066658/[4] ABC News. (2022, January 26).Dick Van Dyke, 94, a 'Mary Poppins,' TV Legend, Dances in New Ad. ABC News. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/dick-van-dyke-94-mary-poppins-tv-legend-dances-79090326
- Being 99 years old, veteran actor Dick Van Dyke, despite losing many friends including his longtime friend Ed Asner, remains optimistic about life and grateful for his ongoing career and new connections in the health-and-wellness and entertainment world.
- Ed Asner, who played opposite Van Dyke in the proposed remake of The Odd Couple, passed away in August 2021 at the age of 91, leaving the status of the project uncertain.
- The world of science and aging cannot help but wonder about the secrets behind Van Dyke's longevity as he approaches his 100th year, while the realm of celebrity and health-and-wellness remains captivated by his journey.
- Amidst the poignant moments of loss and the laughter of shared memories with celebrities and friends, Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene, continue to navigate the winding paths of life and aging with grace and determination.
