Born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri, Dick Van Dyke is an American actor, presenter and entertainer. He was inspired to act when he watched Laurel & Hardy films as a child. He appeared in many plays and hteater productions during high school, which was spent in Danville, Illinois. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He worked on different stage shows and became a radio DJ during that time. He subsequently appeared on several television shows like The Phil Silvers Show and Alfred Hitch!$#!# Presents.
Dick Van Dyke’s breakthrough role came on Broadway, when he played Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. In 1961, he received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor. He also appeared in the film version of the play, but was unhappy with the adaptation. He also became known for playing Bert in 1964’s Mary Poppins, which showcased his versatility as a singer and actor. He also starred in The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as playing the title role in the comedy Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. He won three Emmy Awards for his show, and the series received four Emmy awards as well. He was also the star of the unrelated The New Dick Van Dyke Show, and the 1988 sitcom The Van Dyke Show
Most of his movies were unsuccessful, but his portrayal of Caractacus Potts in 1968’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang earned him wide acclaim. The next year, he appeared in the comedy drama The Comic, written and directed by Carl Reiner. He also voiced his animated likeness in Hanna Barbera’s The New Scooby-Doo Movies, in an episode titled “Scooby-Doo Meets Dick Van Dyke.” He next received an Emmy nomination for his performance in the television movie The Morning After. He also appeared in the popular series Columbo, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Series. His career was in danger of being over in 1989, until he made a comeback starring on the NBC series The Golden Girls. He also took a small and villainous role in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy. He was also a guest star in other series like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and had the lead role in the series Diagnosis Murder. He was also in an episode of the sitcom Scrubs and voiced the character Mr. Bloomsberry in 2006’s Curious George. He also starred alongside Ben Stiller and Robin Williams in Night at the Museum.