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'I've been playing an old man all my lfe': Dick Van Dyke, 98, makes history at 2024 Daytime Emmys

Dick Van Dyke clinched the award for best guest performance in a daytime drama series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on 'Days of Our Lives'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: During the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards, Dick Van Dyke created history. At 98 years old, he clinched the award for best guest performance in a daytime drama series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux on 'Days of Our Lives', becoming the oldest Daytime Emmy winner ever.

Dick remarked, "I don't believe this," as he and his spouse, Arlene Silver, got the honor.

"I feel like a spy from nighttime television. I brought this lady up because she, by trouble and strife, is the love of my life, but because she was in the show — she played the cop who arrested me."

He added, quipping, "She looks better than she did as that cop, and I'm the oldest nominee in history." He made light of the fact that he had been "playing an old man all my life," to the laughter of the audience.

"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would've taken better care of myself," he stated. "You guys are a real family and just took me in and treated me so nicely."

He then finished, remarking that his "80 years in the business" began with him performing shows for pleasure with a friend, and that his career "snowball into this." As he departed, he was once again making fun of his age. "I'm 98 years old; can you believe it?" he expressed. "'This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business."

When did Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver get married?

Dick fell in love again with his wife, Arlene. The 'Mary Poppins' actor met Arlene at the SAG Awards in 2006.

Arlene, a makeup artist, was working at the awards ceremony where Dick was presenting. They hit it off, so he hired her for more tasks. Dick and Arlene ultimately married in 2012.

After Dick was involved in a vehicle accident in March 2023, Arlene took on the role of caring for him. According to authorities, the actor sustained "minor injuries" after colliding with a fence in Malibu, California. Dick received treatment from paramedics on the site, but he was not transported to the hospital.

How many children does Dick Van Dyke have?

Dick's influence extends far beyond his legendary portrayal of Bert in the Disney classic 'Mary Poppins'. He also had four children, Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth, with his late ex-wife, Margie Willett, to whom he was married for 36 years.

He told the Guardian that Margie grew up with Dick in Danville, Illinois, and they married in 1948 when they were both on the radio program 'Bride and Groom'. Christian Van Dyke, the couple's first child, was born in 1950.

Barry, his brother, and Stacy and Carrie Beth, his sisters, followed. After their 1984 breakup, Dick started dating Michelle Triola. Despite never marrying, Dick and Michelle shared a home for more than 30 years. In 2007, Margie died from pancreatic cancer, and two years later Michelle died from lung cancer.

In 2012, Dick married Arlene. MeTV claims that all four of Dick and Margie's children made early appearances in Hollywood, showing up on episodes of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', 'Diagnosis: Murder', and 'The New Dick Van Dyke Show'. Barry claimed that Dick was also a lot of fun off-screen.

Dick, who was chosen Father of the Year by the National Father's Day Committee in 1967, did not always have it easy. The Emmy winner, who turned 97 on December 13, 2022, is a grandfather to at least seven grandchildren and a great-grandfather to numerous others.

What is Dick Van Dyke's net worth?

Dick is a famous actor, comedian, director, and producer with a net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth originates from his acclaimed performances in numerous blockbuster films, musicals, TV comedies, and dramas, as well as his skills as a director and producer.