At 99 years old, Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke thrilled fans on Sunday with a surprise performance of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” during an event in Malibu, California.
Originally performed by Van Dyke in 1964 as the cheerful chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins, the famously tricky tune hasn’t lost its charm—or its challenge. Yet more than six decades later, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star delivered every syllable flawlessly, much to the delight of the crowd.
Dick Van Dyke was accompanied by his wife of 13 years, Arlene Silver.According to Entertainment Weekly, this month’s proceeds benefited the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) Community Brigade. The previous Vandy Camp event raised funds for recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades Fires.
“An actual dream come true seeing [Dick Van Dyke] in person today,” the attendee captioned the video of the beloved star performing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in a scene from the 1964 classic Mary Poppins.
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in another iconic scene from the 1964 film Mary Poppins.
The beloved Mary Poppins tune wasn’t the only song Dick Van Dyke performed on Sunday. The video also captured the nearly 100-year-old actor, known for his role in Bye Bye Birdie, singing several classic hits from his 78-year career—including the theme song to The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Van Dyke’s performance at Vandy Camp on Sunday, April 20, coincided with an interview he and his wife, Arlene Silver, had with People magazine, where they spoke about their 13-year marriage and 46-year age difference.
“We get along so well,” Van Dyke shared with the magazine.
Dick Van Dyke will celebrate his 100th birthday on December 13.
“We just care about each other deeply,” Silver, 53, shared.
“The naysayers said it wouldn’t work,” the Mary Poppins star remarked, with Silver adding, “Yeah. It’s almost eerie how well it works. People of the same age don’t last.”
Van Dyke also recalled the first time he met Silver, a makeup artist, producer, and actress, backstage at the 2006 SAG Awards.
Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, who is 53
“I never had the courage to approach a stranger before,” he recalled. “But I was backstage at a show when she walked by, and for some reason, I just stood up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ There was something about her that drew me in, and I was right.”
Regarding their Malibu home, which narrowly escaped the wildfires, the couple shared that they “love it” and consider it their “favorite place.”
