Dick Van Dyke, 99, Falls Ill, Misses Comedy Event

The Vandy Camp event was June 28 at Malibu High School. Dick Van Dyke, 99-years-old, was supposed to appear at the event but his wife, Arlene Silver, took the stage alone instead. She said she was “not the Van Dyke you’re expecting.” She went on to say, “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, and he’s sick that he can’t be here.”

Silver also said that she’s “pretty confident” that he’ll attend the next Vandy Camp event. So maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about him. She credits Van Dyke and their musical group, the Vantastix for giving her “so much confidence to be able to stand up here right now,” further explaining, “I would never be able to do this maybe, like, a year ago, but I’ve had so many experiences pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and right now I’m out of my comfort zone.” In a sweet sentiment, she referred to Van Dyke as her “safety net.”

Vandy Camp

Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver were married in 2012. Together, they founded Vandy Camp which is described by Entertainment Weekly as a ”carnival-meets-convention-like experience that features live music, an artist alley, surprise guests, and a Q&A with Van Dyke.”

Arlene Silver said that the event has developed into something bigger than just her husband. She said, “It is a celebration of your childhood, all of our childhoods, the music that’s in the fabric of all of us. Dick Van Dyke is a big part of that.”

A Museum?

Reportedly, some of the money earned through the Vandy Camp event will go towards a Dick Van Dyke museum. Won’t that be something!