Dick Van Dyke says avoiding two parts of life have allowed him to live for 99 years
Dick Van Dyke has put his 99 years of living down to two things that many of us are probably not doing enough.
Ahead of his landmark birthday on 13 December, the legendary Mary Poppins actor admitted that he 'feels really good for 100'.
Known for his roles in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and many others, the award-winning performer has been previewing his book 100 Reasons For Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to Life.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE from his Malibu home, Van Dyke revealed that even at his age, he often 'has more energy than others' and 'never wakes up in a bad mood'.
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"People say ‘What did you do right?’. I don’t know. I’m rather lazy," the comedian admitted.
Although, he explained that letting go of 'anger' and 'hate' has taken him a long way.
"I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides — and hate. And I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate. I think that is one of the chief things that kept me going," Van Dyke said.
"There were things I didn’t like, people I don't like and disapprove of.
"But I never really was able to do a white heat kind of hate.
"My father was constantly upset by the state of things in his life, and it did take him at 73 years old."
On his thoughts about life after death, he added: "When you expire, you expire. I don’t have any fear of dearth for some reason.
"I can’t explain that but I don’t. I’ve had such a wonderfully full and exciting life. That I can’t complain."
Van Dyke has been married to 54-year-old makeup artist Arlene Silver since 2012, and he credits her for making him feel young.
"She's responsible for keeping me in the moment," he said.
"She kept me happy every day of my life, every day. She's a joy.
"She can get me singing or dancing and she carries so much responsibility... I'm just lucky."
As for his legacy, he says that remembering him isn't too important, but he wishes his music will be sung for generations to come.
"What I left in the way of children's entertainment and children's music — that’s my legacy," he added.
"For as long as children are proudly belting out their new word, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,’ or singing and skipping along to ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee,’ the most important part of me will always be alive."
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Entertainment
Anish Vij