Watch as Sprightly Dick Van Dyke, 99, Wears aMary PoppinsT-shirt and Sings His Famous Songs at Wildfire Relief Fundraiser

Mar. 15, 2025

Dick Van Dyke at his Vandy Camp fundraiser on March 8, 2025.Photo:BACKGRID

BACKGRID

Dick Van Dykeis raising money as only he can.On Saturday, March 8, Van Dyke, 99,his wife Arleneand his a capella troupe The Vantastix appeared at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu, Calif., where they held an intimate event called Vandy Camp to raise money for California’sCommunity Brigade. The Brigade trains volunteers to prepare for and respond to wildfires and other dangers in their communities.At the event, Van Dyke and Arlene, 52,wore matching black T-shirtsthat featured an illustration of Van Dyke’s character Bert from 1964’sMary Poppinsalongside the title of his best-known song, “Step in Time.”On Instagram, Van Dyke shared a video of himself and the Vantastixsinging “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”fromMary Poppinsduring the soundcheck before the show.Van Dyke sharedmore videos from the event on Facebook, including one of the Emmy winner and the Vantastix singing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” from the 1968 movie of the same name. “I really don’t sing anymore, so this is going to be something,” Van Dyke said before the song began, though he quickly proved his own word wrong.At the event, Van Dyke spoke about some of the wildfires he’s seen during his decades in California; last December, the actor revealedhe had to flee his home because of fires in Malibu. He wasultimately able to return.Dick Van Dyke at Vandy Camp on March 8, 2025.BACKGRIDIn September, at age 98, Van Dyke’s 2023 birthday specialDick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magicwonan Emmy Award for outstanding variety special. He told reporters after that he hoped people remembered him “for making people laugh for 75 years.” He said, “I’ve been in the business 75 years. I can’t believe that I’m still here and performing.“After a pause, he added, “I’m looking for work if anybody has.“Van Dyke also won a Daytime Emmy in June 2024 for a guest appearance onDays of Our Lives. It was his sixth Emmy in total, and he was theoldest Daytime Emmy nominee and winner ever.He told PEOPLE after he won, “This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting — comedy and musicals are my specialty after all. I’m so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”

Dick Van Dykeis raising money as only he can.

On Saturday, March 8, Van Dyke, 99,his wife Arleneand his a capella troupe The Vantastix appeared at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu, Calif., where they held an intimate event called Vandy Camp to raise money for California’sCommunity Brigade. The Brigade trains volunteers to prepare for and respond to wildfires and other dangers in their communities.

At the event, Van Dyke and Arlene, 52,wore matching black T-shirtsthat featured an illustration of Van Dyke’s character Bert from 1964’sMary Poppinsalongside the title of his best-known song, “Step in Time.”

On Instagram, Van Dyke shared a video of himself and the Vantastixsinging “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”fromMary Poppinsduring the soundcheck before the show.

Van Dyke sharedmore videos from the event on Facebook, including one of the Emmy winner and the Vantastix singing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” from the 1968 movie of the same name. “I really don’t sing anymore, so this is going to be something,” Van Dyke said before the song began, though he quickly proved his own word wrong.

At the event, Van Dyke spoke about some of the wildfires he’s seen during his decades in California; last December, the actor revealedhe had to flee his home because of fires in Malibu. He wasultimately able to return.

Dick Van Dyke at Vandy Camp on March 8, 2025.BACKGRID

In September, at age 98, Van Dyke’s 2023 birthday specialDick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magicwonan Emmy Award for outstanding variety special. He told reporters after that he hoped people remembered him “for making people laugh for 75 years.” He said, “I’ve been in the business 75 years. I can’t believe that I’m still here and performing.”

After a pause, he added, “I’m looking for work if anybody has.”

Van Dyke also won a Daytime Emmy in June 2024 for a guest appearance onDays of Our Lives. It was his sixth Emmy in total, and he was theoldest Daytime Emmy nominee and winner ever.He told PEOPLE after he won, “This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting — comedy and musicals are my specialty after all. I’m so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”

source: people.com