NEED TO KNOW
- PEOPLE spoke exclusively to Dick Van Dyke’s wife Arlene Silver at the premiere of documentary film Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7
- Silver shared her husband’s plans for his upcoming 100th birthday, revealing the actor “doesn’t want to do anything”
- “He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me,” Silver tells PEOPLE of the Mary Poppins star’s milestone on Dec. 13
Dick Van Dyke is planning to have a low-key 100th birthday.
Speaking with PEOPLE at the premiere of Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration in Malibu on Sunday, Dec. 7, Van Dyke’s wife Arlene Silver revealed that her husband isn’t having any extravagant celebrations for his centennial milestone and instead plans to “be in his room watching Jeopardy reruns.”
“He doesn’t want to do anything,” Silver, 54, says of the actor, who turns 100 on Dec. 13. “…He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me,” she added, referring to the iconic gameshow.
Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration is a documentary film celebrating the life and career of Van Dyke and features untold stories and rare footage of the legendary actor’s onscreen work.
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty
Speaking on the actor’s upcoming birthday, Silver said that she is “so grateful” her husband is here and able to witness the love so many people still have for him in the new film and among his fans.
“I’m so happy he’s here to see what I know is going to be a global celebration of him. I’m so glad he’s still with us,” Arlene tells PEOPLE. “I’ve always been celebrating him now, like since 2011 when I got him on social media. It’s like a pinnacle of all that is … all these different people from different events we’ve done, [just] so cool.”
The makeup artist first met the Mary Poppins star at the SAG Awards in 2006 and they worked together on several projects after that, before eventually wedding in 2012. The pair do not share any children, though Van Dyke is a father to four children with his late ex-wife, Margie Willett.
“I’m so honored to have him in my life, take care of him, and nurture this community that we’ve built, that he’s built over the years,” Silver adds of her husband.
Paul Morigi/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Speaking to PEOPLE for a November cover story in honor of his upcoming 100th birthday and his new book 100 Rules for Living to 100, Van Dyke opened up about his marriage and shared why he and his wife get along so well.
“She’s responsible for keeping me in the moment,” the acting veteran said. “She’s 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.”
Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration plays in theaters nationwide from Dec. 13—14, distributed by Fathom Entertainment. For tickets and showtimes, please visit fathomentertainment.com.
