If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen those weirdly vague headlines that make your heart skip a beat. You know the ones. They show a black-and-white photo of a beloved star and practically beg you to click. Naturally, the question everyone is typing into Google right now is: is Dick Van Dyke still alive? Yes. Honestly, he’s doing more than just "staying alive"—he’s thriving in a way that puts most people half his age to shame.
As of January 2026, Dick Van Dyke is officially 100 years old. He hit that massive triple-digit milestone on December 13, 2025. While the rest of the world was just trying to get through the holidays, the man who gave us Bert the chimney sweep was busy celebrating a century of being one of the most likable humans on the planet.
Why Everyone Is Asking: Is Dick Van Dyke Still Alive?
It’s a fair question. The guy was born in 1925. To put that in perspective, when Dick was a toddler, silent movies were still the norm and penicillin hadn't even been discovered yet. He’s outlived almost every single one of his contemporaries.
In a recent, incredibly moving essay for The Times, Van Dyke didn't sugarcoat the reality of being a centenarian. He admitted to feeling "diminished" in the world. He talked about how lonely it feels when "every single one of my dearest lifelong friends is gone." It's heavy stuff. He also mentioned that his sight isn't what it used to be—joking that "origami is out of the question"—and that he struggles with hearing aids.
When a legend starts talking about "physical deterioration" and feeling like a "shuffler and a teeterer," the internet's rumor mill starts grinding. But don't let the honesty fool you.
The Malibu Fire Escape
Just a few months ago, toward the end of 2025, Van Dyke had a real-life scare. He and his wife, Arlene Silver, had to flee their Malibu home due to the Franklin Fire. Seeing a 100-year-old icon being displaced by a natural disaster is enough to make anyone worry. But true to form, he popped up in a clip shortly after, barefoot and smiling, saying he felt like "one of those lucky people."
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He’s still got that "Keep Moving" energy. That’s actually the title of one of his books, and he takes it literally.
The Secret to Making it to 100 (And Beyond)
If you're looking for a magic pill, Van Dyke would probably tell you it’s a gym membership and a younger wife. He hits the gym three times a week. No excuses.
He recently described his routine, which includes a circuit of leg machines and sit-ups. He’s not just lifting weights; he’s dancing between the machines. He told People magazine that he’s a "Broadway belter" when he’s in the zone, singing his way through his workout.
"If I miss too many gym days, I really can feel it—a stiffness creeping in here and there. If I let that set in, well, God help me."
It's not just the physical stuff, though. His marriage to Arlene Silver, who is 46 years his junior, seems to be a huge part of his longevity. He credits her with keeping him from becoming a "hermetic grouch." They sing, they dance, and they perform together in a local Malibu troupe called Vandy Camp.
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What He’s Doing Right Now in 2026
You might think turning 100 is the ultimate retirement trigger. Not for Dick.
- The New Book: He just released 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life. It’s basically a manual on how to not let the world turn you "sour and dark."
- Looking for Work: In late 2025, he told Al Roker on the Today show that he’s actually looking for acting gigs. He specifically mentioned wanting to play Scrooge. Can you imagine? A 100-year-old Dick Van Dyke as Ebenezer Scrooge would be must-see TV.
- Coldplay Cameo: If you haven’t seen the music video for Coldplay’s "All My Love," go watch it. He’s dancing, he’s doing physical comedy, and he looks like he’s having the time of his life.
Navigating the "Death Hoaxes"
We have to talk about the dark side of being a famous centenarian. Social media is littered with "R.I.P. Dick Van Dyke" posts that are nothing more than clickbait. These sites use the fact that is Dick Van Dyke still alive is a high-volume search term to drive traffic to sketchy websites.
Always check a reputable news source. If something happened to a man who has six Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy, it wouldn't be a "hidden" story on a random Facebook page. It would be the top story on every major news network in the world.
Why He Still Matters
There’s something deeply comforting about knowing Dick Van Dyke is still around. He represents a brand of "kind showmanship" that feels like it’s disappearing. He’s survived alcoholism, the loss of his brother Jerry, and the passing of his Dick Van Dyke Show co-stars like Mary Tyler Moore and Carl Reiner.
Yet, he still wakes up in a good mood.
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He admits he gets "grumpy" and yells at the TV when he sees the state of the world—he’s particularly vocal about his distaste for certain political movements—but he refuses to let that define him. He calls being alive a "giant playground."
Actionable Insights for the "Dick Van Dyke Lifestyle"
If you want to channel a bit of that legend energy into your own life, here’s what we can learn from his century on Earth:
- Move every single day. Even if it’s just "rubbery" dancing in your kitchen.
- Find a "carrot." Van Dyke uses a frothy caffeine treat or a smoothie to trick himself into going to the gym.
- Don't retire your mind. He’s still reading scripts and writing books. The moment you stop looking forward is the moment you start looking back.
- Stay social. Even though he can't travel much anymore (he’s turned down gigs in New York because the flight is too hard), he hosts people at his house constantly.
So, the next time you see a post asking is Dick Van Dyke still alive, you can rest easy. He’s in Malibu, probably chewing nicotine gum (his one vice he won't quit), hitting the leg press, and waiting for someone to call him about a role in A Christmas Carol.
The man isn't just a survivor; he’s a masterclass in how to grow old without actually growing "old."
Keep an eye out for local screenings of the documentary Dick Van Dyke: A 100th Celebration, which was released late last year. It’s the perfect way to see the evolution of a man who literally taught the world how to laugh at a trip over an ottoman.