Dick Van Dyke’s 5 Most Iconic Roles!

Legendary actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke celebrates his milestone 100th birthday on December 13! With a career spanning over 75 years, hundreds of millions of people, spanning multiple generations, have welcomed his work into both their hearts and homes. A true triple-threat, Van Dyke has appeared on countless stages and screens, playing all kinds of characters. Here are what we think are his 5 most iconic roles!

1. Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

Although this marked Dick Van Dyke’s feature film debut, he was no stranger to musicals! After winning a Tony Award for playing Albert Peterson in the original 1960 Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie, he went on to reprise the role for this 1963 film of the same name. The film follows Albert, a struggling songwriter, as he tries to get the recently drafted rockstar, Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson), to perform one of his songs on national television before joining the Army. Filled with catchy songs and lively dance numbers, this classic movie musical is sure to make you “Put On a Happy Face"! (Available on VOD/Digital)

2. Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

In this movie, Van Dyke plays eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, who rebuilds an old, beat-up race car. After taking a ride in the transformed car, Caractacus tells his kids and his love interest, Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), a story that ultimately blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, as the car takes them on all kinds of magical adventures! Full of Van Dyke’s classic heart and charm, once you see this movie, you won’t forget it. If you’re looking for a nostalgic film with exciting songs and dances, this one’s for you! (Stream on Pluto TV and Tubi)

3. Cecil Fredericks in Night at the Museum (2006)

In this fun-for-the-whole-family comedy, Van Dyke plays an elderly night guard who’s nearing retirement. His character initially serves to help Larry (Ben Stiller) learn the ropes of his new job at the museum but ultimately proves to have a darker side. This was a different role for Van Dyke, whose lovable nature didn’t typically get him cast as the antagonist. He even reprised this role in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), as well as in a cameo for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2006), which, although cut from the movie’s theatrical release, was included as an alternate ending on its DVD and Blu-ray. If you’re looking for lots of laughs and adventure, be sure to check out this fun franchise! (Stream on Hulu and Disney+)

4. Rob Petrie in "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-66)

Widely considered to be one of the greatest TV shows of all-time, this sitcom follows Van Dyke as Rob Petrie, the awkward but charming head writer for the fictional variety show "The Alan Brady Show". This sitcom helped make Dick Van Dyke a household name, earning him 3 Emmy Awards over the course of its run. With its witty writing and progressive, three-dimensional characters, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was ahead of its time, making it still hold up more than half a century later! (Stream on Peacock, Prime Video, Pluto TV, Tubi, and PLEX)

5. Bert in Mary Poppins (1964)

In perhaps his most iconic role, Van Dyke plays the quirky, lovable, and oh-so-Cockney chimney sweep Bert in this classic Disney musical. Bert’s shown as a jack-of-all-trades, making art with sidewalk chalk, playing music as a one-man band, and even selling kites to make money over the course of the movie. This role perfectly showcases Van Dyke’s talents, as he leads many of the film’s energetic songs and dances, all while also having a sense of humor. Watch (or re-watch) this classic movie, and you’re sure to have a “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” time! (Stream on Disney+)

Happy 100th, DVD!!!