In honor of Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, Fathom Entertainment will release Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration in theaters nationwide on December 13 and 14. The film will premiere earlier in the month at the Fischer Theatre in Van Dyke’s hometown of Danville, Illinois, where he will return to the stage of his old high school nearly 80 years after his first performance there. Tickets go on sale October 31.
Directed by Steve Boettcher, the documentary blends classic clips, rare footage, and fresh interviews with Van Dyke and his longtime collaborators. Drawing from over three decades of conversations, the film highlights his career across stage, television, and film, featuring reflections from co-stars Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Betty White, and Tim Conway.
Additional perspectives come from artists across generations. Chita Rivera, in one of her final interviews, recalls his Tony-winning breakout in Bye Bye Birdie. Michele Lee praises his dramatic turn in The Comic, while Derek Hough reflects on Van Dyke’s enduring influence on modern performers. Broadway producer Richard Jay-Alexander and entertainment journalist Gino Solamone also weigh in on his cultural impact, alongside neighbors and family friends from Danville.
At the center of the documentary is a candid, new interview with Van Dyke himself, who shares personal memories and behind-the-scenes stories—from his unlikely Hollywood break to his close relationships with Mary Tyler Moore and Julie Andrews.
Clips span his most beloved projects, including Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bye Bye Birdie, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Diagnosis Murder, as well as lesser-seen gems like his Emmy-winning variety series, musical performances with The Vantastix, and appearances in Mary Poppins Returns and the Night at the Museum films.
“This film has been a labor of love for more than thirty years,” said Boettcher. “It’s a living tribute to one of the greatest entertainers in history—a man whose career has spanned more than 80 years and who’s still going strong.”
PBS will also honor Van Dyke with a new American Masters episode, airing December 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET. The program will showcase never-before-seen footage, photos, and home movies chronicling his extraordinary career.
At 99, Van Dyke remains one of the most enduring figures in entertainment history, with highlights including his Tony-winning role in Bye Bye Birdie, three Emmy Awards for The Dick Van Dyke Show, and iconic film performances in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and beyond.
