Dick Van Dyke, 98, Cheekily Shares Plans For 99th Birthday
American treasure Dick Van Dyke appears to be doing well, despite skipping the Emmy Awards earlier this month. The actor and entertainer will celebrate his 99th birthday this December, and in a video shared by New York Post , Van Dyke shared how he feels as he's getting older.
"I feel old," said Van Dyke in the video, which was taken on Monday, September 23, as he was leaving a pharmacy in Malibu, California.
The videographer then asked Van Dyke how he plans to spend his upcoming 99th birthday, which is December 13. Van Dyke cheekily replied, "Just praying I make it."
Fans have been concerned about Van Dyke's health after his absence from the Primetime Emmys on Sunday, September 15. The Mary Poppins actor was originally set to attend as a presenter.
On Monday, September 23, Van Dyke was reported to be skipping a three-day FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is set to take place from Thursday, September 26 through Saturday, September 28.
"[Van Dyke] expresses his gratitude to all of those who continue to support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time," read an announcement .
Van Dyke did, however, attend the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, September 7, where Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic — on which, his wife Arlene Silver was a producer — won for Outstanding Variety Special. Though Van Dyke himself did not take home an award, as he was not a producer on the show, he did speak to the press about how he would like to be remembered.
"Hopefully for making people laugh for 75 years," the Dick Van Dyke Show star said. "I've been in the business for 75 years, I can't believe it that I'm still here and performing! I'm looking for work if anyone's interested."
Though Van Dyke has been taking a step back from large public settings recently, he maintains his positive, uplifting energy.
