Even at 97 years old, Dick Van Dyke is still acting!
The comedy legend, who recently appeared on The Masked Singer, is set to appear on an episode of Days of Our Lives. However this role will be slightly different than his previous roles. This time he’ll be playing an older man with amnesia.
‘I have played old men before, but comedy old men. First time I ever just played my 97-year-old self,” Van Dyke told Access Hollywood.
The longtime actor said the role came about when he approached Drake Hogestyn, who plays John Black on the soap opera, at the gym.
‘Drake and I went to the same gym together,” the 97-year-old said. “I used to kid him, ‘Say, don’t you ever have any parts for old people? Come on, give me a part!’ And he took me seriously. He got me a part.”
In order to prepare for his new role, Van Dyke watched several episodes of the 58-season series to get a feel for the show.
He also received some helpful advice from industry friends who have also guest-starred on a soap opera.
“Make sure you know all your lines because they don’t do retakes,” Carol Burnett told Van Dyke in a recorded message.
Burnett had a recurring role on All My Children in the ’80s.
Van Dyke, who will appear in a scene alongside Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn, will make his soap opera debut this fall.
Dick Van Dyke is my absolute favorite! I can’t wait to see how he handles acting on a soap opera.
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