Dick Van Dyke Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Dick Van Dyke’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $50 million, Dick Van Dyke stands out as a legendary actor, comedian, director, and producer. His wealth stems from a variety of successful acting roles across films, musicals, TV sitcoms, and dramas, in addition to his work as a director and producer. He is particularly recognized for his performances in classic musical films such as “Bye Bye Birdie” (1963), “Mary Poppins” (1964), and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968), among others.

Starting his career as a dancer on Broadway in the 1940s, Van Dyke made his film debut in 1949 and quickly became a star in numerous successful comedies. His portrayal of Bert in “Mary Poppins” catapulted him to international stardom, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In the realm of television, Van Dyke also made a significant mark. He was the lead in the sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show” from 1961 to 1966. The show enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success, capturing multiple awards, including five Emmy Awards. Additionally, he appeared in sitcoms like “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” (1971-1974) and “Diagnosis Murder” (1993-2001).

Apart from acting, Van Dyke is also a gifted singer and dancer. He has released several music albums and performed in various Broadway musicals. Furthermore, he is known for his ventriloquist skills, often performing alongside his dummy, Mortimer Snerd.

Some of Van Dyke’s notable career achievements include:

• Winning five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.
• Receiving the Kennedy Center Honor in 2004.
• Being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1996.
• Receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2007.

Early Life

Dick Van Dyke, born Richard Wayne Van Dyke on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, was raised by his mother, Hazel Victoria (née McCord), a stenographer, and his father, Loren Wayne “Cookie” Van Dyke, a salesman. Growing up in Danville, Illinois, he shared his childhood with his younger brother Jerry Van Dyke, who also pursued an acting career.

In 1944, Dick decided to leave high school during his senior year, intending to enlist in the United States Army Air Forces and be trained as a pilot for World War II. Despite facing multiple rejections due to being underweight, he ultimately succeeded in joining the military as a radio announcer, later serving with the Special Services where he entertained troops.

Career

In the late 1940s, Van Dyke ventured into radio as a DJ in his hometown. He formed a comedy duo with pantomime performer Phil Erickson, touring the West Coast and appearing on a local television program, “The Merry Mutes,” in Atlanta, Georgia, during the early 1950s. Other early television credits include “Chance of a Lifetime” in 1954, “The Phil Silvers Show” (1957-1958), “The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom” on ABC, and “The Polly Bergen Show” on NBC. In 1959, he made a Broadway debut in “The Girls Against the Boys,” followed by a leading role in “Bye Bye Birdie” from 1960 to 1961, for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured…

In 1961, the musical received four additional Tony Awards.

Starting in 1961, Van Dyke played the role of comedy writer Rob Petrie in his own CBS sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” The show continued until 1966, during which Van Dyke earned three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The series itself also garnered four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series. An impressive cast accompanied him, including well-known actors like Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Jerry Paris, Ann Morgan Guilbert, and Mary Tyler Moore. Following this, Van Dyke’s next endeavor was an unrelated sitcom, “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” which aired from 1971 to 1974. While this series was not as successful as the first, he still received a nomination for a Golden Globe for his performance. The third show bearing his name, “Van Dyke and Company,” was a brief sketch comedy series that featured talents such as Andy Kaufman and Super Save Osborne. Although it lasted only three months, it succeeded in winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Series.

Alongside his television work, Van Dyke also had a highly fruitful career in film. His initial film appearance came in 1963 with an adaptation of the hit musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” a role he had previously played on Broadway. Following that, he starred in the now-classic film “Mary Poppins” (1964), portraying the character Bert, who speaks with a cockney accent—his attempt at this accent is often deemed one of the worst in cinematic history. During the remainder of the 1960s, he appeared in several films that generally underperformed at the box office, with the exception of the musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968). Furthermore, his movie roles influenced his television projects; after participating in “Dick Tracy” (1990) as D.A. Fletcher, he was invited to portray Dr. Mark Sloan in an episode of “Jake and the Fatman.” This opportunity eventually led to his own television show, “Diagnosis: Murder,” featuring the Sloan character, which aired from 1993 to 2001. Various family members, including his son Barry Van Dyke and grandsons Shane and Carey Van Dyke, made appearances in different episodes of “Diagnosis: Murder.”

Other Work

Beyond his illustrious acting career, Van Dyke is also a published author, with five books to his name: “Altar Egos” (1967), “Faith, Hope, and Hilarity”

(1970), “Those Funny Kids!” (1975), “My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business” (2011), “Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Aging” (2015).

Personal Life

In February 1948, Dick Van Dyke married Margerie Willett, his first wife, during a live broadcast of the radio show “Bride and Groom.” Together, they welcomed four children. After a prolonged separation, their divorce was finalized in 1984.

Following this, Dick was in a relationship with his long-time partner Michelle Triola Marvin until her death in 2009, marking over 30 years together.

In 2012, Dick tied the knot with makeup artist Arlene Silver, who is 46 years younger than him.

Van Dyke has candidly discussed his battle with alcoholism, having undergone treatment for his addiction back in 1972. He was also an avid smoker for most of his adult life but shared in 2013 that he had successfully quit, utilizing Nicorette gum to manage his cravings.

Malibu Mansion

In September 1986, Dick invested $750,000 in a vast property located in Malibu, California. The current value of the property is estimated to be between $7-8 million.