My Lucky Life In And Out Of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke
Reviewer: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
Suggested Age: Adult
What is this book about? I chose to review this memoir because on December 13, 2025, one of America’s most beloved entertainers, who is still active in show business today, will be turning 100 years old. Richard Wayne Van Dyke, better known as Dick Van Dyke, was born in West Plains, Missouri in 1925 to Loren and Hazel Van Dyke. He is the older brother of actor Jerry Van Dyke. The Van Dyke boys grew up in the small town of Danville, IL. Van Dyke married his high school sweetheart, Margie Willet in 1948 on a radio show called Bride and Groom. Together they had four children: Christian, Barry, Stacy, and Carrie Beth. They divorced in 1984, but still remained close. Van Dyke’s family was active in the Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday school and served as an elder. Before he became an entertainer, there was a time when he considered serving in the ministry. This desire changed when he was in high school where he sang in the acapella choir and performed in the drama club. Van Dyke left high school his senior year to join the United States Army Air Forces. He first served as a radio announcer and then was transferred to the Special Services where he entertained troops throughout the United States. Van Dyke began his career on the radio, television, and in nightclubs. He made his Broadway debut in 1959 in the musical The Girls Against the Boys. The following year he starred in Bye Bye Birdie and won a Tony Award for his performance. On television, Van Dyke became popular portraying the character of Rob Petrie, a comedy writer, on the Dick Van Dyke Show which ran from 1961-1966. This role earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards. Van Dyke also guest starred on shows such as The Carol Burnett Show and Colombo. From 1993 -2001, he co-starred with his son Barry in the well-known TV series Diagnosis Murder. Van Dyke is also famous for popular roles he played in movies. He is perhaps best-known for the role he played as Bert, the chimney sweep who sings and dances alongside Julie Andrews, the “practically perfect” nanny, in Disney’s Mary Poppins. Van Dyke is also recognized for his role as an oddball inventor in the 1968 musical fantasy film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
During his television and movie career, Van Dyke did not want to be associated with anything that his kids (and now grandkids) couldn’t read. He was particular about the roles he played. He was not just an entertainer, he was a family man. But even this family man had his faults. Van Dyke was an alcoholic. He also had an extra-marital affair with Michelle Triola Marvin from 1976 until 2009. But he openly and honestly admits these faults in his memoir.
My Review: I happen to be a fan of Dick Van Dyke, mostly because of his performance in Mary Poppins. As his 100th birthday approaches, he has appeared on television participating in interviews and on the Internet singing and dancing even at his advanced age. One day while searching for books on the shelves, I saw we had Dick Van Dyke’s memoir. I picked it up and checked it out. I couldn’t put it down. I learned that there was so much more to know about Bert, the dancing chimney sweep. If you’re a fan of Dick Van Dyke, I highly recommend this memoir. You’ll not only learn about the entertainment business, but you’ll also learn about happiness and longevity from someone who knows!
Rating: 5/5
Three Words That Describe This Book: comprehensive, surprising, funny
If You Like This, You May Like This: Keep Moving And Other Tips And Truths About Living Well Longer by, Dick Van Dyke and 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life by, Dick Van Dyke
FDL has The Dick Van Dyke Show tv series and Diagnosis Murder tv series in its collection.'