Dick Van Dyke is considered one of the most adored personalities in the entertainment business. He rose to popularity in the 1960s with his portrayal of Rob Petrie in Carl Reiner’s ground-breaking sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, which aired from 1961 to 1966. The 99-year-old also found success in film, starring in Disney’s Mary Poppin and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as other TV projects, which earned him several accolades, including a Tony Award and three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
However, in a recent interview, Van Dyke reflected on his career, especially a project he missed out on due to the passing of his collaborator and friend Ed Asner.
Dick Van Dyke reveals he wanted to remake ‘The Odd Couple ‘ with late friend, Ed Asner
During a Q&A session at the Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event held in Malibu, the actor, in company of his wife, Arlene, revealed that he and his late friend Ed Asner were planning to remake the comedy movie The Odd Couple before he passed away in August 2021 at the age of 91.
He expressed his disappointment with the course of events, noting that if the project had been possible, it would have been a delightful one. Van Dyke further underlined the enjoyment and fulfillment he could have derived from having the opportunity to collaborate with his long-time friend.
Dick Van Dyke expresses gratitude for his life
Van Dyke, who has lived for nearly a century, also took out time to reflect on the inevitable losses that he has witnessed over the years, including the unfortunate passing of many of his dear friends, a situation his wife referred to as a “curse of living to almost 100.”
Despite the multiple tragedies, the Murder 101 actor has maintained an unwavering optimism, which he attributed to his sense of gratitude for his life so far. He acknowledged that life has been so good to him, leaving him with little or nothing to complain about.