Dick Van Dyke makes staggering claim about death days before his 99th birthday

Mary Poppins actor Dick Van Dyke has reflected on his illustrious career and opened up on his thoughts of death as he gears up to celebrate his 99th birthday next week

Dick Van Dyke has opened up on death as he approaches a huge milestone.

The actor, 98, hasn't shied away from the spotlight as he gets older following his decades-long career that has spanned music, film and TV. He boldy declared earlier this year he isn't ready to retire just yet and admitted he "can't believe" he is still working in Hollywood. Dick even stars in Coldplay's latest music video that was filmed in his Malibu home.

He talked about the lessons he's learned about love, family and life while Coldplay frontman Chris Martin sits at a piano. The Mary Poppins star features alongside memorabilia from his illustrious career and reflected on his upcoming 99th birthday. Dick will reach the milestone on December 13 this year.

He said: "I'm acutely aware that I, you know, could go any day now, but I don't know why it doesn't concern me. I'm not afraid of it. I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual that I'm gonna be alright." Dick shared how lucky he feels to have had his career as he danced with wife Arlene Silver.

The legendary actor confessed: "I think I'm one of those lucky people who got to do for a living, what I would have done anyway. When you think how lucky I am, I got to do what I do — play and act silly." Dick concerned fans recently when he was notably absent from the Emmy Awards despite being lined up as a presenter.

He told PageSix of his hopes of reaching 99 as he said: "Just praying that I make it. I'm pretty old." The Mary Poppins star was due to make an appearance at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention in September, but organisers informed fans via social media that he could not face travelling from California.

A post to X read: "We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX. He expresses his gratitude to all of those who support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time."

The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor accepted an award at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his special birthday programme, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic. “I've been in the business 75 years. I can't believe that I'm still here and performing. I'm looking for work if anybody has,” he said afterwards.

When asked how he hoped to be remembered, the Hollywood icon confessed: “For laughter. I hope for making people laugh for 75 years.” His career has spanned more than 80 years, and he’s entertained generations of people in movies such as Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as recent appearances in movies such as Night at the Museum, and TV shows including Diagnosis Murder and Scrubs.

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