(ConservativeInsider.org) – Famed entertainer, actor, and comedian Dick Van Dyke, who turns 99 this year, shared his secret to a long life: keeping active.
Van Dyke was born in 1925 in Missouri. He first participated in the drama club and acapella choir in high school, though he left school in 1944, his senior year, in order to enlist in the Army Air Force. He was not allowed to enlist at first because he was underweight, but was eventually allowed to serve in the Special Services to entertain troops in the U.S.
Following his discharge in 1946, Van Dyke became a radio DJ before moving on to television as a comedian and emcee. Van Dyke then moved on to the musical Bye Bye Birdie, which he performed both on stage and in the film adaptation. In 1961, he began starring in the show that truly propelled him to fame, The Dick Van Dyke Show. During his time at CBS, he also starred in Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews.
In a recent interview, the 98-year-old star said he wasn’t positive how he managed to live so long, but he said his habit of going to the gym to exercise three times a week surely contributed to his longevity. The actor and singer pointed out that many people who get close to his age stop exercising and therefore have a harder time moving around. However, his regular gym habit means he still moves around “pretty well.”
Van Dyke stated that he begins his day with a cup of coffee and admitted that he heads to the gym right away, lest he “talk [himself] out of it.” He added that he forces himself to go even when he feels “lousy,” because after he finishes exercising, he walks out with a “bounce in [his] step.” The star also added that staying skinny has been beneficial.
The star also stated that he’s maintained a positive attitude throughout his life, admitting that he “didn’t grow up.”
Copyright 2024, ConservativeInsider.org
