Dick Van Dyke Says He’s ‘Not Afraid’ Of Death – As He Approaches 99th Birthday | Ents & Arts News

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Dick Van Dyke has said he is “not afraid” of death as he prepares to mark his 99th birthday next week.

The Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star, who was born on December 13 1925, made the comment as he admitted he was “acutely aware that I could go any day now”.

But he added: “I don’t know why, it doesn’t worry me, I’m not afraid of it. I have this feeling totally against everything intellectually that I have that I will be fine.”

The Hollywood actor spoke out as he appeared in a new seven-minute video for Coldplay‘s new song All My Love, from the British group’s 10th studio album Moon Music.

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In the director’s cut, Van Dyke seen duet with lead singer Chris Martin and dance, while also discussing his views on life and family.

After being asked what love is, he replies, “Boy, they’ve been attacking that question for centuries, I don’t know.

“It’s definitely a feeling of caring about the other person’s welfare and life as much as you care about yourself.”

The American actor is also shown looking at an old photograph of himself with his late first wife Margie Willett and their children, including his daughter Stacy.

He then adds, “I’ve had dreams where I’m depressed or hurt or lonely or something and she (Stacy) comes to comfort me, actually comes to comfort me.”

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Actor Dick Van Dyke, born Richard Wayne Van Dyke, arrives at the 29th Primetime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California, September 11, 1977. Van Dyke is known for his role as Rob Petrie on the CBS television sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961 to 1966. He also gained popularity for roles in the films Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Mary Poppins (1964) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). (AP Photo/NewsBase)
Picture:
Dick Van Dyke at the Emmy Awards in September 1977. Image: AP

Later in the video, he is asked to close his eyes and think of people who have meant something in his life – to which he jokingly replies: “I’m too old for this, I pass out and go to bed, I take a nap.”

The star is also seen laughing and hugging some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren – before Martin ends the clip by singing him an impromptu song about old age.

Filmed at Van Dyke’s home in Malibu, Californiaa shorter version of the music video will be released on December 13 to celebrate his 99th birthday.

His career, which has spanned more than seven decades, has seen him receive a number of awards, including Emmys and a Grammy for the Mary Poppins soundtrack.

Van Dyke has continued to work into old age – including a cameo role in the 2018s Mary Poppins returnsthe sequel to the 1964 hit that helped catapult him to stardom.

Last year, the actor reportedly became involved in a car accident in his home state, but avoided serious injury.