Happy Birthday to performer Dick Van Dyke, born Dec. 13, 1925, in West Plains, Mo. He began his career as a radio DJ and half of the comedy duo Eric and Van: The Merry Mutes, which led to steadier work as a local TV emcee. After making his network debut on Chance of a Lifetime (1954), he began to book other hosting gigs and guest roles on programs like The Phil Silvers Show (1957). He made his Broadway debut in the short-lived revue The Girls Against the Boys (1959), for which he received a Theatre World Award. For his next Broadway show, Bye Bye Birdie (1960), he won the Tony Award for best featured actor in a musical, making his screen debut in the film adaptation (1963). Below is Van Dyke singing “Put on a Happy Face” in the film.
He returned to TV as Rob Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66), for which he won three Emmy Awards as outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. His next film musical was Mary Poppins (1964), earning him a Golden Globe nomination and a Grammy Award. “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” one of the numbers Van Dyke originated in that film, won the Oscar for best original song.
His subsequent TV work includes The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-74), Van Dyke and Company (1976, Emmy), and Diagnosis: Murder (1993-2001). His other musical work includes the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the title role in the 1975 animated film Tubby the Tuba, Harold Hill in the 1980 Broadway revival of The Music Man, the 2018 fantasy film Buttons, and a cameo in the 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns. Below is Van Dyke singing “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” from Mary Poppins Returns.
https://youtu.be/rnBBW-9coLU