Dick Van Dyke, the legendary comedian and actor, continues to defy age and expectations, Fox News reports.
The “Mary Poppins” star, who is inching closer to his 100th birthday, received a Creative Arts Emmy on Saturday for his special “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic,” tying him with the late comedic legend Norman Lear as the oldest winner of the award.
When asked how he’d like to be remembered, Van Dyke had a simple answer: “For laughter,” he told People magazine while holding his trophy. “I hope for making people laugh for 75 years.”
The 98-year-old’s passion for performing shows no signs of slowing down. Following his Emmy win, he joked, “I’m looking for work if anybody has,” displaying the comedic timing that has captivated audiences for decades.
Van Dyke also shared advice for aspiring actors:
“You have to stick with it,” he said. “You’re gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions… but you have to stay with it. Be patient if you’ve got the confidence in yourself, and it’s very important to believe that you can do it.”
His wife, Arlene Silver, who is 46 years his junior and worked as a producer on the special, joined him on stage to accept the award. Earlier this year, Van Dyke charmed audiences with his appearance on “The Masked Singer.” He is also set to star in the upcoming film “Capture the Flag,” about a group of veterans competing to raise the flag in their neighborhood each morning.
