He’s still dancing. Honestly, that’s the first thing you need to know. When people search for the Dick Van Dyke age online, they’re usually looking for a number, but the number is almost the least interesting thing about him at this point.
As of early 2026, Dick Van Dyke has officially crossed the centenarian threshold. He turned 100 on December 13, 2025. Think about that for a second. This is a man who was born when Calvin Coolidge was in the White House and silent films were still the standard. Today, he's still cracking jokes, hitting the gym, and—perhaps most impressively—refusing to act like a "stereotypical" old man.
💡 You might also like: Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr: The "Rent" Reunion Nobody Saw Coming
The Reality of Being 100
There’s a lot of fluff out there about "aging gracefully," but Van Dyke is pretty blunt about the mechanics of it. He doesn't pretend it's all sunshine and rainbows. In his recent book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life, he’s surprisingly candid. He admits to feeling "diminished" at times. His eyesight isn't what it used to be. He’s got "feet problems." He even jokes that he goes supine—basically lying flat on his back—as often as is socially acceptable.
But here’s the kicker: he still goes to the gym three times a week.
He doesn't just walk on a treadmill. He does a full circuit. He hits the sit-up machine first (his wife, Arlene, says he can do 500, though he thinks that might be a bit of an exaggeration). Then he moves to the leg machines. He calls his legs his "most cherished possessions" because they’re what allow him to keep moving.
Why the Dick Van Dyke Age Factor Defies Science
Most people his age are, understandably, sedentary. Van Dyke treats movement like a job he actually enjoys. He has this habit of "dancing" between machines at the gym. It’s not a performance for the cameras; it’s just how he stays limber.
The "Anti-Anger" Philosophy
One of the most fascinating things he’s talked about lately is how he manages his emotions. He’s convinced that holding onto hate or white-heat anger literally eats people from the inside out. He watched his father struggle with that kind of chronic dissatisfaction, passing away at 74. Van Dyke made a conscious choice to be different.
- He avoids "white-heat" hate. Even when he disagrees with people or politics, he refuses to let it become a core part of his identity.
- He sings daily. Music is a huge part of his cognitive health. Science actually backs this up, showing that singing can lower cortisol and help prevent cognitive decline.
- He embraces the "Play" mindset. He doesn't think about how a 100-year-old is "supposed" to act. If he wants to dance barefoot in a music video (which he did for Coldplay recently), he just does it.
The Secret Weapon: Arlene Silver
You can’t talk about his longevity without mentioning his wife, Arlene Silver. She’s 46 years his junior, and he credit’s her for keeping him from becoming a "hermetic grouch." They sing together. They dance in the kitchen.
He’s mentioned that having a partner who is younger and full of energy forces him to keep up. It's a social and emotional tether to the present. While he’s lost almost all of his lifelong friends—a reality of the Dick Van Dyke age that he admits is incredibly lonely—his relationship with Arlene and his younger friends in his a cappella group, The Vantastix, keeps him socially "alive."
What Most People Miss
The obsession with his age often overlooks his actual productivity. He isn't just "still alive"; he’s still working. He’s been vocal about wanting to play Ebenezer Scrooge. He still does charity work for The Midnight Mission in Los Angeles.
He doesn't eat a "perfect" diet, but he's smart about it. He avoids red meat and processed stuff like deli meats. He’s a big fan of blueberries and turmeric for the anti-inflammatory benefits. But he also mentions "dangling carrots" for himself—like promising himself a big smoothie or a nap after a hard workout. It’s a very human way to stay disciplined.
Actionable Takeaways from a Centenarian
If you're looking at the Dick Van Dyke age and wondering how to get there yourself, his lifestyle offers a pretty clear roadmap that doesn't involve expensive "biohacking."
- Don't stop moving. Even if it's just stretching or a short walk, the moment you stop moving is the moment the "stiffness" sets in. Van Dyke says if he misses the gym, he feels it immediately.
- Audit your anger. If you find yourself yelling at the TV or stewing over old grudges, realize that it’s physically taxing. Practice letting the "white-heat" go.
- Find your "song." Whether it's actual singing or just a hobby that makes your "heart soar," you need something that makes you forget your age.
- Stay socially curious. Connect with people younger than you. It prevents you from getting stuck in the past and keeps your brain adaptable to new social norms.
The man is a living testament to the idea that while physical deterioration is inevitable, your spirit doesn't have to follow the same timeline. He’s 100, he’s tired, his feet hurt, but he’s still looking for the next role. That’s the real story.