As he nears 100, Dick Van Dyke, 99, makes a touching confession about his life.

His laugh, his dancing, his playful personality, and his iconic roles—from Mary Poppins to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to The Dick Van Dyke Show—have shaped generations. But at 99, nearing a milestone few human beings ever reach, he is speaking with a raw honesty that shows a different side of the man fans have adored for nearly a century.

In a diary entry shared with The Times, Van Dyke reveals a vulnerable truth: that age, no matter how gracefully one handles it, reshapes every part of life — from your relationships, to your daily routines, to the very way you see yourself in the world. “It’s frustrating to feel diminished in the world, physically and socially,” Van Dyke wrote, describing the emotional reality of stepping back from an active life.

For most of his career, his days were defined by scripts, rehearsals, studio lots, red carpets, laughter, and endless movement. He was known for doing his own stunts, performing comedic falls, dancing effortlessly, and outpacing younger co-stars with his energy. Now, that world feels distant — not lost, but softened.

“Almost all of my visiting with folks has to happen at my house,” he admitted. Travel, once a joy, has become exhausting. The spotlight, once a home, is now something he steps into only rarely. Yet, even in this admission, his tone carries acceptance, not defeat. He is not mourning the past; he is acknowledging reality, adjusting with grace.Continue reading…