Dick Van Dyke says he’s still ‘looking for work’ ahead of 99th birthday

He is not slowing down just yet

The comedian and actor will turn 99 in December but tied a record set by Norman Lear as the oldest Emmy winners. Lear also won an Emmy at the age of 98 in 2020.

Van Dyke won the award at the Creative Arts Emmys for Outstanding Variety Special for his 2023 birthday special, Dick Van Dyke 98 years of Magic.

Speaking after he collected his award; he told People he wanted to be remembered for laughter.

He said: “I hope for making people laugh for 75 years. I’ve been in the business 75 years. I can’t believe that I’m still here and performing.”

As he looked around the room he said: “I’m looking for work if anybody has.”

He gave advice to those youngsters just starting out in the industry. He said: “You have to stick with it. You're gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions... but you have to stay with it.

“Be patient if you've got the confidence in yourself, and it's very important to believe that you can do it.”

The 98-year-old, who starred in classics such as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as the comedy-drama The Comic, was joined on stage by his wife and the producer of the special, as he accepted his award.

He said: “Thank you! That reception, I cannot tell you what it means. The young lady who got this award, you may think of the word nepotism and I would understand it, but this lady got the job all by herself as producer of the Dick Van Dyke special because she knows me inside and out, and knows how I work, and don't take no sass from anybody.”

This latest accolade comes after Van Dyke made history as the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy Award as best guest performer on Days of Our Lives.

He said: “This is a very different honour for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting - comedy and musicals are my specialty after all.”

Van Dyke is set to star in the film ‘Capture the Flag’ alongside Louis Gossett Jr, John Amos, Barry Corbin and Paul Dooley.