A heartfelt memoir from one of Hollywood’s greatest iconsDick Van Dyke, indisputably one of the greats of the golden age of television, is admired and beloved by audiences the world over for his beaming smile, his physical dexterity, his impeccable comic timing, his ridiculous stunts, and his unforgettable screen roles. His trailblazing television program, The Dick Van Dyke Show (produced by … Van Dyke Show (produced by Carl Reiner, who has written the foreword to this memoir), was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s and introduced another major television star, Mary Tyler Moore. But Dick Van Dyke was also an enormously engaging movie star whose films, including Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, have been discovered by a new generation of fans and are as beloved today as they were when they first appeared.
A colorful, loving, richly detailed look at the decades of a multilayered life, My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business, will enthrall every generation of reader, from baby-boomers who recall when Rob Petrie became a household name, to all those still enchanted by Bert’s “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” This is a lively, heartwarming memoir of a performer who still thinks of himself as a “simple song-and-dance man,” but who is, in every sense of the word, a classic entertainer.
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Dick Van Dyke was just as wholesome as the characters he played. He tried to make shows and movies that followed his spirit and philosophy on life and living.
This was an interesting story of Dick Van Dykes life. It makes you realize how much goes on in people’s lives we have no idea about. That no one is immune to sadness and tragedy.
It is one of my greatest joys to read how others have overcome obstacles to succeed. My new motto is “never give up.” In addition, it is with great relief that I read Mr. Van Dyke’s introduction where he stated that there was no “dirt” in his book. To find some, you’d have to look elsewhere. I love the fact that he made his own success without …
Boring. I kept waiting for him to have good stories to tell, but they just weren’t there. I mean, how do you make every experience in a life like his sound ordinary and dull?!
Interesting to find out more about a man whose show I loved as a child.
Delightful autobiography of an all time favorite personality.
Dick Van Dyke needs no one to enhance his legacy! What a story! His climb to the top of the entertainment world was fueled by great talent and another character trait rarely seen in the dog eat dog world of Hollywood–class. His personality and chosen life style (apart from the cigarettes and alcohol) plus the inherent love of the funny side of …
I’ve always liked Dick Van Dyke as an actor, the shows he did and the roles he played. This autobiography let me see that he wasn’t just acting “nice” he really is a nice man. Is he perfect? No, he’s just a regular guy who worked hard, made good choices and some bad choices but kept on keeping on. This book is a fun read, it’s informative, …
Sweet and unadorned, but,could,have used a little more editing, and in turn, some expansion.
I was more interested in his work life thann his personal life.
Love Dick Van Dyke! This book is just as funny and light and entertaining as he is.
As a person who grew up watching shows, tv and movies, with the Van Duke clan I found this book very interesting. It offers a behind the scenes and in real life view of career and family. A very worthwhile read.
This is treat for those of us who grew up watching the Dick Van Dyke Show. Dick tells his story in his own words with honesty and openness.
I have always liked Dick Van Dyke and enjoyed the trip down Memory Lane. However, I was very disappointed to read the details about the end of his first marriage, especially since he mentions several time throughout the book how he has always tried to remain true to his family values.
Loved hearing about his life and experiences. I also loved reading the behind the scenes stories about the shows that he worked on. This is a delightful book.
Dick Van Dyke takes us through his life’s journey in an entertaining manor. It is an intimate look at one of Hollywood’s iconic Dad’s
A very enjoyable read
If you’re looking for an easy how to live your life step by step, this isn’t for you. Dick Van Dyke is human. He made mistakes. If you want to find the strength of his character and get a glimpse into his world, you’ll enjoy his story immensely!
So much fun hearing about how the author lived his through his roles on TV and movies.
I must confess that I have been a fan of the man for most of my life. In the early days of television, Dick Van Dyke was one of the greats. While his acting was not of the highest quality, he had the charm, humor, and presence needed to be a star. But personality was not all. His physical fitness and dexterity were impressive as was his …
This was an enjoyable, funny and informative autobiography of Dick Van Dyke
(Read by Dick Van Dyke in my audible version) and many of the famous people and not so famous people who influenced or worked with him over almost 7 decades of show business. It is honest without being gossipy or mean-spirited.
Dick van Dyke autobiography. He doesn’t dish dirt on other celebs, but is very frank and open about his own mistakes. Wriiten with his trademark humor, you can hear the orda in your mind.