Dick Van Dyke learns the ukulele at 97! Screen icon lauded by fans as he shares fun video from music lesson: ‘It’s never too late to start something new’
Dick Van Dyke added another string to his talented bow when he shared a beautiful video on Monday of him learning how to play the ukulele at the age of 97.
The acting icon, 97, said it was “never too late to start something new” as he strummed the ukulele and said, “Where’s the F?”
Revealing that his wife Arlene Silver was also learning with him, he captioned an Instagram video, “My first ukulele lesson with @getstartedplayingukulele @bijoubox’s third
“It’s never too late to start something new.”
The star was praised by fans for his commitment to learning a new skill, with one text, “I love that you’re still trying new things! A lesson to stay young.’
Is there anything he can’t do? Dick Van Dyke added another string to his talented bow when he shared a beautiful video on Monday of himself learning how to play the ukulele at the age of 97
Another wrote: ‘Thank you, Mr. Van Dyke, for sharing this inspiring adventure of learning something new! May God continue to bless you.”
One fan wrote, “At 53, I feel like I’m too old to take piano lessons. It encourages me to see you try this. You continue to bring joy to my life. Thank you.’
Others wrote: ‘You are so inspiring!! Much love to you and your loved ones!’ and ‘There is a special place for this wonderful soul, incomparable grace, kindness and talent.’
The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star was injured after a car accident in Malibu in March, which left him with a bloodied nose and mouth and a concussion.
After his hour-long gym session, Dick – who celebrates his next milestone on December 13 – was driven home by Arlene, whom he married in February 2012.
Dick was left bloodied after crashing his Lexus LS 500 into a fence in Malibu on March 15, requiring two stitches in his lip after slamming his face against the steering wheel because the car’s airbag failed to deploy.
The actor was found bleeding from both the nose and mouth after the accident, and although he escaped with only minor injuries, Radaronline reported that Silver has revoked his driving privileges in an effort to keep him and others safe.
The crash occurred ten years after Van Dyke was pulled from his Jaguar after it caught fire on August 19, 2013 on the 101 freeway in the Calabasas area of LA.
Musical: The acting icon, 97, said it was “never too late to start something new” as he strummed the ukulele and said, “Where’s the F?”
Praise: The star was praised by fans for his commitment to learning a new skill, with one text, “I love that you’re still trying new things! A lesson to stay young’
A man named Jason Pennington saved the day after seeing the car full of smoke on the side of the road.
Dick married Silver in 2012 – who is almost half his age – and previously revealed that the couple keep fit by singing and dancing together.
His stamina showed on his recent appearance on The Masked Singer US where he delighted audiences with his performance as the Gnome.
Speaking of the key to his energy, Van Dyke told Yahoo, “Genes, I think, first and foremost. Having a beautiful young woman half my age taking care of me – it works!
‘My positive attitude, I got that from my wife.’
He further noted, “And another thing: I wrote a book called Keep Moving. I still go to the gym three days a week and work out.
‘And I advise everyone to do that, because that’s what ages people – it’s just stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and lungs. Exercise is the answer.’
As the conversation turned to his work on the mystery singing competition The Masked Singer, he joked, “Oh, it was so funny.” It was the weirdest experience. They have a great crew there and they took good care of me but as soon as I got out of the car they covered my head!
‘I never met or saw anyone! I will have to go back and meet them in person because no one has ever seen me and I have never seen them. It was weird.’
Iconic: Van Dyke portrayed Cockney jack-of-all-trades Bert alongside Julie Andrews in Robert Stevenson’s 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins
Van Dyke is the grandfather of seven and has four children with ex-wife Margerie Willet – whom he married in 1948 on the Bride and Groom radio program before divorcing 36 years later.
His longtime companion Michelle Triola Marvin passed away in 2009 after living together for 30 years.
Just an Oscar away from elite EGOT status, Van Dyke served in the United States Army during World War II.
Besides Mary Poppins, he is also known for his memorable roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–66), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and most recently Mary Poppins Returns (2018).