Who is Dick Van Dyke on Days of Our Lives? All to know

Richard Wayne Van Dyke also known as Dick Van Dyke, who appeared on Days of Our Lives, is an actor, comedian, writer, and singer. He is known for his roles in television sitcoms like The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961 to 1966, Mary Poppins (1964), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).

Dick Van Dyke appeared on Days of Our Lives in September 2023 at the age of 97. Dyke entered Salem being a mystery man Timothy Robicheaux who is also known as John Doe, because he has amnesia and can't remember his real name. Other characters in the show help him to reconnect the dots of his memory so that his identity and whereabouts can be revealed.

Days of Our Lives has been running for a long time now since it first aired on November 8, 1965. The show is set in the fictional town of Salem and focuses primarily on the four main families living there: the Brady, Horton, DiMera, and Kiriakis.

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How did Dick Van Dyke end up on Days of Our Lives?

Van Dyke played the role of Timothy Robicheaux, who was suffering from amnesia and hence had forgotten parts of his memory. Marlena, John Black, and Steve Johson try to help him regain his memory and get better. Timothy, also known to be John Doe, is the biological father of John Black, who is on a search to find his long-lost son.

In an interview with Access Hollywood on April 20, 2023, Van Dyke explained how he got a role in Days of Our Lives.

Van Dyke is a gym buddy with Drake Hogestyn, who is known to play John Black on Days of Our Lives. In the interview, Dyke said that he randomly asked Drake if the show has a role for an old person then he would love to do it. Following this conversation, Drake got back to him about the role of Timothy, which he had clearly not expected.

“I said, ‘Don’t you have any parts for old people? Come on give me one.’ And he took me seriously and got me a part!” Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke explained the challenges he faced while adapting to his new character on Days of Our Lives. He is a veterinary actor but has played roles that are comedic and in DOOL, his character was a serious old man suffering from partial memory loss.

“I have played old men before, but comedy old men," said Van Dyke.

He further added,

"First time I've ever just played my 97-year-old self.”

He explained how he spoke to one of his friends, Carol Burnett, who has been a part of the soap opera universe to understand the working process and technicalities. He quoted his friend saying "Make sure you know all your lines because they don't do retakes."

He remained consistent in learning things to play his character well and hence watched the show's previous episodes to set the context. His role in Days of Our Lives got Van Dyke a Daytime Emmy Award which set a record for the oldest actor to win a Daytime Emmy.

Van Dyke was 98 years old when he won the Daytime Emmy Award on June 7, 2024. While receiving the award, Van explained how glad he was to have received it at this age.

“I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” he said.

Van Dyke has won many awards, including a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and six Emmy Awards. He also won the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013.

“This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business. If I had known I would have lived this long I would’ve taken better care of myself," said Van about his journey and the award he won.

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Fans can watch the new episodes of Days of Our Lives on Peacock.