Dick van Dyke will be receiving a Kennedy Center honor in a couple of weeks and the actor is thrilled and surprised. At 95, he has had an illustrious career that spans decades and receiving the honor acknowledges his lifetime of contributions to American culture. What van Dyke cannot believe is that he has managed to make it this far.
"I’m circling the drain," he joked in an interview with Showbiz411. "I never thought I’d live this long. I don’t know how I did it."
The event is usually held in December but was postponed until May due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Van Dyke, who will be receiving the prize from former co-star Chita Rivera from "Bye Bye Birdee," is among five recipients to be honored at the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors. The event will be held virtually this year.
"This past year has taught us many things including the need to be flexible and adaptable," said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter of the changes. "They say necessity is the mother of all invention. The unusual circumstances inspired and opened up new ways for us to present a deeper experience, and hopefully understanding, of the art and lifetime work of our honorees."
Also on the list is multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer, and actress Debbie Allen, singer-songwriter and activist Joan Baez, country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks, and violinist Midori.
"The Kennedy Center Honors serves as a moment to celebrate the remarkable artists who have spent their lives elevating the cultural history of our nation and world," said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein, according to PennLive.
Commenting on Van Dyke's contribution to the arts in a statement, Rubenstein introduced him as the actor who "bought us beloved film, stage, and TV characters adored by generations of fans, for more than seven decades."
In 2000, Van Dyke was among the guest cast paying tribute to previous Mark Twain Prize recipient Carl Reiner. Now he is excited to also receive the honor.
"Many years ago, I was the host of a similar event held, as I recall, in private with the Kennedy family. I saw the care with which the recipient was chosen from an impressive list of nominees," he said in a statement. "Since the creation of the Kennedy Center Honors, just over 200 have been honored with equal care. Being included in that small, illustrious group, is the thrill of my life."
Speaking with Showbiz411, Van Dyke said all he had to do now is make it to the ceremony.
"All I have to do is stay alive until then," he said. And he plans on doing so by keeping on "doing what we're doing."
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