Dick Van Dyke Misses Vandy Camp at 99. Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke canceled his appearance at Vandy Camp this weekend due to a sudden illness. His wife, Arlene Silver, who co-hosts the event at the new Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater at Malibu High School, explained on stage that he “is not up to coming to celebrate with us today” and added, “when you’re 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days and unfortunately, today is not a good day for him.”

Despite missing the live event, Van Dyke surprised fans with a brief livestream appearance. Silver reassured the audience, saying she feels “pretty confident” he will join next year’s event in person.

A Celebration of Bright Memories

Silver went on to highlight that Vandy Camp does more than showcase Van Dyke’s talent. It celebrates shared childhood memories, comedy, vaudeville, classic tunes woven into the fabric of the audience’s lives. She noted, “these events are a wonderful opportunity to have you all in the same room and meet each other,” adding that the fans are “the greatest human beings I’ve ever known.”

Stepping into the Spotlight

Normally the event’s star and his a cappella group, The Vantastix, support Silver on stage. However, today she boldly took charge. She described her presence as being “out of my comfort zone” and thanked both the group and Dick for empowering her: “I have to wear my big girl pants and hold the reins without Dick here as the safety net that he’s always here with me.”

Age, Mortality, and Motivation

Van Dyke recently reflected on the upside and downside of reaching 99—he treasures his continued work but laments outliving many friends, including Ed Asner. Despite his age, he remains determined. In 2024, he expressed that he has no plans to slow down “I love what I do for a living” and even at nearly 100, he thrives on performing.