What could possibly keep Dick Van Dyke, beloved entertainer and heartwarming performer, from gracing the very stage that bears his name?
At a Glance
● Dick Van Dyke, 99, missed a planned comedy event at the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater in Malibu due to an undisclosed illness.
● His wife, Arlene Silver, addressed the audience to announce his absence, citing the ups and downs of advanced age.
● Van Dyke, who turns 100 in December, still made a brief appearance via livestream to greet his fans.
● The incident has sparked a wave of well-wishes for the legendary entertainer.
Van Dyke’s Absence at Vandy Camp
Legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke, 99, was forced to make a last-minute cancellation of his appearance at “Vandy Camp,” a comedy event held in his honor at the Malibu High School theater that bears his and his wife’s names.
Dick Van Dyke had to drop out of his Vandy Camp fan event Saturday. His wife said that it was "not a good day for him":
“When you’re 99-and-a-half years old, you have good days and bad days, and when you’re 40 years old, you have good days and bad days. Unfortunately, today is… pic.twitter.com/RsdxiitCb0
— Variety (@Variety) June 30, 2025
The beloved star of stage and screen had to pull out on Saturday, June 28, 2025, due to an undisclosed illness, sparking concern from his legions of fans.
His wife, Arlene Silver, 53, appeared at the event to inform the audience of his absence. Despite his inability to attend in person, Van Dyke did manage to greet his admirers through a brief virtual appearance via livestream from his home.
A Legacy Celebrated in Absentia
In her address to the crowd, Silver explained that the challenges of her husband’s advanced age sometimes get in the way of his plans. “I have to inform you that Dick is not up to coming to celebrate with us today. I’m sorry,” she said. “When you’re 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days … and unfortunately, today is not a good day for him, and he’s sick that he can’t be here.”
She also spoke lovingly about his enduring legacy and connection with generations of fans. “It is a celebration of your childhood, all of our childhoods, and the music that’s in the fabric of all of us, [and] Dick Van Dyke is a big part of that,” Silver said, according to Page Six.
Keeping Spirits High
The incident is a poignant reminder of the bittersweet nature of Van Dyke’s incredible longevity.
The star of classics like “Mary Poppins” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” is set to celebrate his 100th birthday in December 2025.
In a recent interview detailed by The Independent, Van Dyke reflected on the melancholy of outliving so many of his friends, like Ed Asner. His wife, Arlene, has called it “the curse of living to almost 100.” Still, Van Dyke remains a beacon of positivity, and his fans around the world are sending well-wishes for a speedy recovery.
