Comedy icon Dick van Dyke celebrates turning 100: “I still try to dance”

Actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke turns 100 today.

The iconic star sang and danced his way into America's heartland with an illustrious career spanning nearly eight decades.

As part of the celebration, movie theaters across the country will screen a new documentary about his life, “Dick Van Dyke: 100 Years,” this weekend.

Van Dyke's work helped define a generation. He became one of the biggest actors of his era with his eponymous show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran for five years on CBS.

Early in his career, Van Dyke said he wanted to make films that his children could watch. And he realized his dream when Walt Disney cast him in Mary Poppins – bad Cockney accent and all – opposite the incomparable Julie Andrews. He also appeared in the equally kid-friendly film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“Yes, I could be James Bond. When Sean Connery left, the producer asked, “Would you like to be the next Bond?” I asked, “Did you hear my British accent?” Click! This is a real story!” Van Dyke told CBS Sunday morning in 2023.

During his career, Van Dyke won four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and a Grammy Award. In 1995, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

Just last year, he became the oldest Daytime Emmy Award winner for his guest role on Days of Our Lives.

“I'll be damned. I think I'm the last of my generation. I am 98 years old. I have almost all my marbles. I can't remember what I had for breakfast,” he told Entertainment Tonight before his win.

Van Dyke, who is just an Oscar shy of the elusive EGOT title, said he'd love a shot at the Academy Awards.

“I hope it’s not posthumous,” he joked.

In the 1970s, Van Dyke achieved sobriety after battling alcoholism.

“I'm third generation,” he told CBS Sunday Morning in 2023. “I get letters from little kids and that's what I love about them seeing movies over and over again. I get a lot more letters today than I did when I was in the heyday of my career.”

Now that he's hit triple figures, Van Dyke said he has some insight into how he played older characters.

“You know, I played old people a lot, and I always played them angry and grumpy,” he said. ABC News on the eve of his significant birthday. “Actually this is not true. I don’t know other 100-year-olds, but I can speak for myself.”

He has long credited his wife, 54-year-old makeup artist and producer Arlene Silver, with keeping him young.

“Like I said, if I had known I would live that long, I would have taken better care of myself!” Van Dyke told CBS Sunday morning. “Yes, because I went through this whole period of alcoholism. But my wife, God bless her, makes sure I go to the gym three days a week and do a full workout.”

Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri in 1925 and grew up the “class clown” in Danville, Illinois, admiring and emulating silent film comedians.

Five years ago, celebrating receiving Honor Kennedy CenterVan Dyke told CBS Mornings he's looking forward to reaching the 100-year mark.

“George Burns did it, and I will do it too,” he said.

And now he's told ABC News he's lucky to be 100 years old. But what's so hard about him turning 100 years old?

“I miss moving,” he told the publication. “I have one game leg from I don’t know what.”

“I’m still trying to dance,” he said with a laugh.