Dick Van Dyke, 97, Gushes About Wife Arlene Silver, 52, During Taping of Upcoming CBS Birthday Special: 'You Look Like a Movie Star'
Dick Van Dyke's long partnership with CBS culminates later this month with an all-star tribute to the Mary Poppins star's life and career in honor of his 98th birthday.
During the filming of the two-hour special Dick Van Dyke 98 Years Of Magic, the legendary artist showed his love for his wife Arlene Silver in a clip that his personal photographer Laura Johansen shared on Instagram.
Van Dyke, who officially turns 98 on Dec. 13, smiled as he looked at his wife, who was all decked out in a navy blue dress and cape as he sat in a chair in a dressing room, according to People.
“You look like a movie star,” he told Silver, 52, just before another voice asked, “Don't you?”
“Really, right?” Van Dyke responded, as Silver smiled at him from across the room. “I saw her first!”
Dick Van Dyke lovingly praised his wife Arlene Silver in a video taken by his personal photographer while backstage at the taping of his upcoming CBS special Dick Van Dyke 98 Years Of Magic in celebration of his 98th birthday; the couple is pictured in May 2021
In another video posted Friday, the iconic actor, singer and dancer showed off some of his throwback moves as he performed a fast-paced song backstage while using his cane as a prop.
Van Dyke can be seen doing an old-fashioned sideways dance while flashing his infectious movie star smile, all during the opening number of The Dick Van Dyke Show.
“Just keep moving,” the caption read. 'Dick's secrets to living well: Positivity, don't go sideways down the stairs, and just keep moving! #dickvandyke #dvdturns98 #justkeepmoving @cbstv.'
Van Dyke and Silver first met at the 13th annual SAG Awards in Los Angeles in January 2007, where the latter was working as a makeup artist.
And despite having a 46-year age difference, they immediately hit it off as friends.
Their friendship only grew into a romance years later.
Upon their first meeting, the former beautician confessed that she wasn't all that familiar with all of his critically acclaimed work as an actor and singer.
'I remember seeing Dick at the catering table with his bow tie and his big smile. Just as I sat down, he sat next to me. He said, “Hi, I'm Dick.” The first thing I asked him was, “Weren't you in Mary Poppins?” I wasn't sure,” she admitted to the Huffington Post in October 2013.
She added: “I knew who he was, but I wasn't sure why I knew who he was. I didn't know all his work. He has so much work I can't believe I missed it.'
“You look like a movie star,” Van Dyke, 97, told Silver, 52, while backstage during the taping of the CBS special that aired later in December.
In another video shared by his personal photographer, Van Dyke does one of his old sidestep dances, for which he used a cane as a prop.
“Just keep moving,” was the actor's message when he was seen dancing in the new video
Van Dyke and Silver first met at the 13th annual SAG Awards in Los Angeles in January 2007, struck up a romance in 2009, before marrying in 2012 when he was 86 and she was 40.
After striking up a friendship with Van Dyke after their first meeting,
Silver ultimately became a vital person who the legendary artist leaned on after his longtime partner Michelle Triola Marvin died of cancer in 2009.
They became an item over the next few years, eventually tying the knot in a private ceremony in Malibu in February 2012, when Van Dyke was 86 and Zilver was 40.
Van Dyke began his career as an entertainer on radio and television, in nightclubs and on the Broadway stage.
After starring in the original production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1961, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Carl Reiner cast him as Rob Petrie in the popular television series The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966 ). making him a huge star all over the world.
The native of West Plains, Missouri starred in film musicals such as Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and the comedy-drama The Comic (1969).
Van Dyke also starred on The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-1974), and made guest appearances on a series of other hit shows such as Columbo (1974), The Carol Burnett Show (1977), Diagnosis: Murder (1993-2001). ), Murder 101 (2006-2008).
His film resume includes Dick Tracy (1990), Curious George (2006), Night At The Museum (2006), Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (2014) and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).
Last September, the proud husband helped celebrate his wife's birthday, calling her “Dancing Queen Arlene.”
After showing off some of her moves at her birthday party, she came over and gave her husband a kiss, prompting a classic Van Dyke reaction
Van Dyke is best known for several musicals, including starring opposite Julie Andrews in the classic musical fantasy comedy Mary Poppins (1964).
The actor, singer and dancer also co-starred with Sally Ann Howes in another of his classic musicals, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968).
The special tribute will also showcase music and dance spectacles that helped shape his illustrious career in many of his hit films and television roles for CBS.
“I started at CBS under contract in 1955 with the CBS morning show, then The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis Murder,” Van Dyke said in a statement about the upcoming anniversary special. “I've been with the CBS family for almost 70 years and I couldn't be more proud.”
“I am incredibly honored that CBS is hosting a 98th birthday special for me,” he added. 'I can't wait to be part of the show!'
Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic airs December 21 from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM on CBS, and will also stream live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs , on December 22. .