Additional Coverage:
- Dick Van Dyke’s wife says there’s a ‘curse’ that comes with her husband living to almost 100 (businessinsider.com)
Beloved entertainer Dick Van Dyke, approaching 100, recently shared a poignant reflection on the bittersweet reality of a long life: outliving friends. At a California event, “Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp,” he and his wife, Arlene, spoke candidly about this difficult aspect of aging.
Van Dyke recalled his late friend and colleague, Ed Asner, with whom he’d hoped to revive “The Odd Couple.” “That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it,” Van Dyke lamented.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends.” Arlene added, “He’s outlived everybody.
That’s the curse of living to almost 100.”
Despite these losses, the “Mary Poppins” star maintains a remarkably positive outlook. “Life’s been good to me,” he affirmed.
“I can’t complain.” Arlene confirmed her husband’s enduring optimism, noting that he remains incredibly upbeat despite the passing of so many loved ones.
Van Dyke has previously discussed the complexities of longevity. He’s mentioned wishing he’d taken even better care of himself, knowing he would live so long, and also expressed the sadness of outliving contemporaries like Norman Lear and Carl Reiner.
He credits regular exercise as a key factor in his long life, though he admits to some bewilderment at his age, saying, “I can’t figure out [what I did to live this long]. The only thing is I’ve always exercised.”
Van Dyke’s experience highlights a growing concern as Americans live longer: the increasing prevalence of loneliness among older adults. While centenarians are becoming more common, maintaining social connections becomes increasingly challenging with age.
Experts emphasize the importance of social interaction and friendships, suggesting they are as crucial to longevity as diet and exercise. Resourceful seniors are finding creative, budget-friendly ways to stay socially engaged, from exploring new hobbies to returning to the workforce.