He called himself a “lucky boy,” but on this Father’s Day, the world knew the truth — it was lucky to still have Dick Van Dyke. At 99 years old, the Hollywood icon radiated pure joy as he stood surrounded by his sprawling family: children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. Then, with a mischievous grin that hasn’t dimmed in nearly a century, he took his son Barry by the hand and danced, as if time itself had paused to let him shine.
In a sweet Instagram video, Van Dyke captured the moment with a caption both humble and heartfelt. “I never realized when I was first having kids what I was starting,” he wrote. “But I’m amazed and grateful to have lived long enough to spend Father’s Day with some of my kids, grandchildren AND great-grandchildren!! All wonderful, non-toxic people!! … I’m a very lucky boy!!”
It was a rare glimpse into the personal world of a man who has entertained millions yet treasures his role as father and grandfather above all. Van Dyke has four children — Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth — from his 36-year marriage to Margerie Willett, along with at least seven grandchildren. Since 2012, he has shared his life with makeup artist Arlene Silver, whom he affectionately calls his “greatest gift.” Together, they’ve created what he describes as a “magical fairyland” at their California home.
But this picture of joy hasn’t been without its shadows. Earlier this year, Van Dyke made headlines after a frightening accident in Malibu, where his Lexus crashed into a gate. Though he escaped with only minor injuries — a stitched lip and some bruising — the incident prompted his wife to take away his car keys. Sources close to the family revealed Arlene’s fear: “If she doesn’t take the keys away now, it may be too late.” For a man who built his life on energy, independence, and motion, it was a difficult concession.
This wasn’t his first brush with danger behind the wheel. Nearly a decade earlier, in 2013, Van Dyke and Silver were rescued from their Jaguar after it burst into flames on a Los Angeles highway. Both walked away unharmed, but the near-tragedy underscored how fragile even legends can be. Despite this, Van Dyke himself remains unfazed. “I’m 97 — all my friends are dead,” he once quipped to TMZ, brushing off concerns with the dark humor only a comedian of his caliber could deliver.
For fans, that grit and humor are part of what make Van Dyke so beloved. Just last year, he stunned audiences when he appeared on The Masked Singer as the Gnome, proving that even at nearly a century old, he could still command a stage with charm and playfulness. His spirit, it seems, is as ageless as his dancing feet.
And that’s why this Father’s Day moment struck such a chord. It wasn’t just about a family gathering or a social media post. It was about witnessing a man who has lived through nearly a century of history, laughter, hardship, and triumph — still calling himself lucky, still choosing joy, still dancing.
Dick Van Dyke may insist he’s the fortunate one. But for everyone watching — whether it’s his children, his great-grandchildren, or the millions who grew up whistling Chim Chim Cher-ee — the truth is undeniable. We’re the lucky ones.
