Dick Van Dyke, 98, reveals his 'secret weapon' for living a long life

Dick Van Dyke has revealed his secret to living a long life, after making history as the oldest actor to win a Daytime Emmy Award.

The 98-year-old Hollywood icon recently opened up about how he managed to stay so young in an interview with Entertainment tonight. After receiving her historic Daytime Emmy nomination for her guest performance on Peacock's Days of our lives, Van Dyke admitted he has no plans to slow down, especially when it comes to hitting the gym three days a week.

“Yes I do. Having lived this long, I really do,” Van Dyke told the outlet, confirming his weekly gym routine. “And I recommend it to everyone. It's my secret weapon.

THE Mary Poppins The star was shocked after learning of his nomination in April, which he received for his role as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux in Days of our lives. “Am I really the oldest? I didn’t know I was the oldest,” he said. AND. “I will do it. I think I really am the last of my generation. I am 98 years old. I have almost all my marbles. I don't remember what I ate for breakfast.

On Friday June 7, Van Dyke – who faced Australian actor Guy Pearce of Amazon Freevee's Neighbors – received a standing ovation when he accepted his Daytime Emmy on stage at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California.

” I do not believe it. I feel like a spy on late-night television,” he told the audience. “I'm the oldest candidate in history. I can't believe it. I've been playing old men all my life. my life If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken care of myself.

Van Dyke has won four Primetime Emmy Awards, including three in the 1960s for his comedy series, The Dick Van Dyke Show. He is also the recipient of a Golden Globe, a Tony and a Grammy Award.

In 2021, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the actor showed off his workout routine during an interview with CBS this morning. Filmed at his home in Malibu, California, Van Dyke showed how he trains for abs using exercise equipment, saying: “I'm 95 and a lot of my friends won't not. »

“The stomach is the heart of your entire body. If your stomach is strong, you’re in good shape,” he said, doing a few sit-ups. Van Dyke explained how his workout routine has kept him in shape and allowed him to continue doing what he loves, adding: “So all you old guys listen up. I tell you, you can continue. I always dance and sing!

He recently managed an appearance in the American version of The masked singer, where he made judge Nicole Scherzinger cry after being unmasked as The Gnome. “I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much. It's an honor to have you on our show,” she told Van Dyke. “I can't believe you're here, I'm trying to play it cool. You're so gorgeous, you're so beautiful.

THE Goodbye Birdie The star also proved to fans that it's “never too late” to learn a new skill, sharing a video of himself learning to play the ukulele.

Although going to the gym three days a week may be his “secret weapon” for a long life, Van Dyke previously revealed that another secret to staying so youthful is his wife of 52 years, Arlene Silver.

In a February 2023 interview with YahooTHE Night at the museum The star was asked how he maintains his vivacity. “Having a beautiful young woman half my age to take care of me works!” » he replied jokingly.

Van Dyke credited his wife with helping him maintain a “positive attitude,” as well as being the one who encouraged him to follow a gym program three days a week. “I advise everyone to do that, because that’s what makes people age,” he continued. “It’s just about stiffening up and not exercising their muscles and lungs. Exercise is the answer.

The couple has been married since 2012. They first met at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2006, where Silver worked as a makeup artist and Van Dyke appeared at the ceremony. At the time, Van Dyke was 81 and Silver was 35, but they only became romantically involved after his longtime partner, Michelle Triola, died of lung cancer in 2009.