Five Things You Didn’t Know About Dick Van Dyke

Classic TV icon DIck Van Dyke celebrates his 88th birthday today. From Broadway, movies, and television he's been entertaining audiences for more than 5 decades. Here's five things you didn't know about Dick Van Dyke.

1) His big break came when he portrayed "Albert Peterson" in the original Broadway stage version of "Bye Bye Birdie" and reprised his role in the movie Bye Bye Birdie (1963) In this video clip, Dick talk about his insecurities as a singer and dancer when he got the role.

2) His album "Songs I Like By Dick Van Dyke" (Command Records, 1963), released at the height of his TV success and just before the release of Mary Poppins (1964), was actually a best-seller, remaining on Billboard's top-40 albums chart for several weeks in late 1963-early 1964. he album "Songs I Like By Dick Van Dyke" was recorded on Friday, November 22, 1963. Early in the recording session the artists and orchestra were informed of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. In spite of the tragic news, and a deadline from Command Records that had to be met, the recording session continued to a successful conclusion - albeit in an emotionally-charged atmosphere. He said that he scarcely remembers the session because he was in such a state of shock after hearing the news.

3) Dick served in the U.S. Air Force. He enlisted to be a pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII, but initially did not make the cut because he did not meet the weight requirement, as he was underweight. He tried 3 times to enlist, before barely making the cut. He actually served as a radio announcer during the war, and he did not leave the United States.

4) His comic inspiration was Stan Laurel. He says he was able to find him by looking up his name in the phone book in Santa Monica, California, where Laurel lived. He called and Laurel invited him over. The two became good friends. When Laurel died, Van Dyke delivered his eulogy at the funeral.

5) His hobbies include golfing, sailing, spending time with his family, dancing, traveling, comedy, playing piano, using the computer, Bible, praying and singing.

Recently, Dick was helped from his burning car along side a California freeway. Thankfully he was unhurt.

The Dick Van Dyke show is one of the best shows to come along in television history, and is still making us laugh today. And here's something that will make us laugh today. Check out these bloopers and outtakes from his classic TV show.