‘I think the next thing is a knighthood!’ Dick Van Dyke, 95, sets his sights on Queen’s honour after receiving lifetime achievement award
Dick Van Dyke has revealed that he would like to receive a knighthood.
Speaking at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony – where the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor, 95, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award – the screen star replied when asked what’s next: ‘I think the next thing is a knighthood.’
The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony took place earlier in May in Washington, D.C, and Dick was in high spirits when he made his way down the red carpet alongside his much-younger wife Arlene Silver.
Next up, a knighthood! Dick Van Dyke, 95, has revealed that he would like to receive a knighthood
According to The Mirror, Dick was quick to gush about his lifetime achievement award.
He said: ‘Recognition from your peers is always icing on the cake. How did I get to a Kennedy award? I never trained or did anything. I just enjoyed myself.’
The Hollywood icon also joked: ‘I just turned 95, so I’m happy to be anywhere. Had I known I’d live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.’
At this month’s ceremony, the film, television and Broadway star was joined by other cultural luminaries, including the influential folk singer Joan Baez, the actress and choreographer Debbie Allen, violin virtuoso Midori and country music superstar Garth Brooks.
‘I think the next thing is a knighthood’: The Hollywood icon has his heart set on being knighted by The Queen (pictured: The Queen knighting Alastair Cook in 2017)
The ceremony was previously scheduled for December 2020 but was pushed back until May due to the ongoing pandemic.
Dick, who called the honour ‘the capper on my career’ to ABC News, looked overjoyed to be there with his fellow artists.
The Mary Poppins star sported an infectious smile with plenty of laughter as he arrived on the red carpet in a classic black tuxedo.
Loving wife: Joining the actor on the red carpet was his much-younger wife Arlene Silver, who looked elegant in a low-cut sparkling silver dress that was tied around her waist
Although he got around on a cane, he still seemed full of energy and sported the shaggy white beard he has worn in recent years.
Dick’s red carpet appearance comes after he was spotted handing out wads of cash to people in need amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The beloved Mary Poppins star, who played chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 classic alongside Julie Andrews, gave back to members of his community while running errands in Malibu in March.
The actor stopped by the Malibu Community Labor Exchange on Civic Center Way, a non profit organization that helps people find day jobs in the area.
Dick left a small group of job seekers stunned after parking outside the facility and handing out bills from his car window to people waiting in line for employment.
The generous came as millions of Americans have been struggling to make ends meet after losing their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dick himself is considered to be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to his elder age, but seemed undeterred and in high spirits as he helped out those in need.
Dick Van Dyke is known for playing beloved chimney sweep Bert in 1964’s Mary Poppins classic alongside Julie Andrews
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