Dick Van Dyke Reveals the Real Story Behind Mary Tyler Moore’s Controversial Casting—and Why He Needed Extra Makeup
The Dick Van Dyke Show made him an icon, but Dick Van Dyke says its pilot was anything but funny — a rough shoot alongside Mary Tyler Moore that nearly soured him on the series.
If you think classic TV sets were all smooth sailing, Dick Van Dyke would like a word. The 'Dick Van Dyke Show' pilot put him through the wringer, his on-screen marriage to Mary Tyler Moore came with a very real age-gap worry he had to get over, and now, at 99, he still refuses to sit still. Wild, but very on brand for him.
The pilot that almost broke him
Before Rob and Laura Petrie became TV royalty, the first week of shooting nearly flattened the guy playing Rob. Van Dyke wrote in 'The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book' that he dropped five pounds during that first week. On top of that, nerves hit his face hard: four fever blisters popped up at once, and makeup had to work overtime to cover it. Not exactly camera-ready. Awkward start or not, he and Moore shook it off and turned into one of TV's most iconic couples.
The age-gap worry that vanished on camera
Van Dyke was initially uneasy about playing opposite Moore because of how young she was. He told creator Carl Reiner as much. He remembered the age difference as 12 years, but the math during the show's run was closer to 11: he was around 36, she was about 25. Either way, Reiner waved it off, and he was right to. Audiences never made it a thing, and the two even kissed in the pilot without anyone blinking.
Crushes, boundaries, and why the chemistry worked
Van Dyke admits he had a real crush on Moore. Reiner backed that up, saying the attraction was mutual, but both stars were already in relationships and kept it professional. That mix of real spark and real boundaries is probably why Rob and Laura felt so lived-in. Van Dyke ultimately loved working with her, which checks out when you rewatch their stuff.
At 99, he still calls 'action'
'I don't want to. I mean, it's my hobby. It's my life. I love it.'
That was Van Dyke on 'Today' when asked about retiring. He joked about hunting for gigs, but he is plenty busy right now promoting his new book, '100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life.' Also, yes, he turns 100 in a couple of weeks. Unreal.
- Recent work check-in: he pops up in Coldplay's 2024 music video 'All My Love', did guest spots on 'The Simpsons' and 'Days of Our Lives' in 2023, and said back in April he wants a cameo in season 2 of 'A Man on the Inside.'
Where to watch and the basics
'The Dick Van Dyke Show' ran on CBS from October 3, 1961 to June 1, 1966, created by Carl Reiner. It still plays like a blueprint for modern sitcoms, and you can stream it right now on Prime Video.