The cast of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” are revered figures for their role in making the series as iconic as it is. However, where are they now?
For five years, CBS’ situation comedy “The Dick Van Dyke Show” dominated television. The show, which made its debut in 1961, ran till 1966. Still, today the series is considered a pioneer in its genre.
At the time, sitcoms, radio, or television comedies characterized by their continuing cast of characters in successive episodes were very rare in Hollywood. However, after its success and domination, the sitcom genre is now a stronghold in the movie industry.
“The Dick Van Dyke” follows the professional and personal life of Rob Petrie, portrayed by actor Dick Van Dyke. The entire show focuses on Petrie’s day-to-day life as head writer of the fictional “Alan Brady Show.”
During its five-year run, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” won a massive 15 Emmy Awards. The show also launched the careers of many of its cast and writers. In this article, we’ll detail the life of the casts after the series ended and where they are now.
Dick Van Dyke (Rob Petrie)
Dick Van Dyke did not have much of a reputation in the movie industry before starring in the sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” However, his career moved up in levels after the series ended.
Van Dyke starred in the Disney musical “Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang” in 1968, portraying inventor Caractacus Potts. A year later, he appeared in “The Comic,” the work of Carl Reiner, the same brain behind “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
Soon after, Reiner signed Van Dyke up for “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” a spin-off of the original. Sadly this did not live up to the heights of the original only airing for three years.
Since then, the comedian and actor have continued working in various top Hollywood productions. Van Dyke, now over 90 years old and with over seven decades in the industry, is still active today.
Mary Tyler Moore (Laura Petrie)
Mary Tyler Moore’s portrayal of Laura Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” enhanced her career in Hollywood. After the show ended, she starred in a couple of top movies. In 1967 she played Miss Dorothy Brown in the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Then in 1969, she portrayed a nun and Elvis Presley’s love interest in the film “Change of Habit.” Just a year later, Moore bagged a career-high role on CBS. After that, the actress got her sitcom, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which ran for seven years, 1979-77.
Her portrayal of a single independent woman who used comedy to make people’s life is used as a cultural milestone in the feminist movement. She even got nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 1989 movie “Ordinary People.”
Moore continued starring in movies for most of her life until her death at the age of 80 in 2017.
Rose Marie (Sally Rogers)
In contrast to most of the main cast in “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Rise Marie already had a solid entertainment career. The actress was already an established star before starring as comedy writer Sally Rogers on the show.
After the series ended, she continued acting in films and, between 1969 till 1971, starred as Myrna Gibsons on “The Doris Day Show.” Then in the 90s, she portrayed Frank Fontana’s mother in the movie “Murphy Brown.”
In 2004 she appeared in the reunion movie “The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited,” with many of her former castmates. Marie was also a regular guest on “Hollywood Squares,” starring on the show for 14 years. In 2017, the actress died at the age of 94.
Morey Amsterdam (Buddy Sorrell)
Like Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam was also an established actor before starring in “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Before the show, he had worked on radio and TV as a musician, writer, and comedian.
After the show, the actor starred in numerous TV projects, mostly comedies. Some of these shows include “Caroline in the City, “Herman’s Head,” “The Match Game,” and “Hollywood Squares.” Also, he and actress Rose Marie reunited in the 1966 comedy “Don’t Worry, We’ll Think of a Title.” The actor sadly died of a heart attack in 1996 at the age of 87.
Larry Matthews (Ritchie Petrie)
Actor Larry Matthews was just a youngster when he starred as Rob and Laura Petrie’s son in “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Reminiscing about the show, Mathews noted that he had a lot of fun growing up on set with older castmates. The actor described the experience as being at home in a family.
After the show ended, Matthews left Hollywood, enrolled, studied, and graduated from UCLA. Afterward, he started working as a producer on shows like “Soap” and “Benson.” The actor also reunited with his former castmates in the reunion movie “The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered” in 1994.
Richard Deacon (Mel Cooley)
On “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Richard Deacon portrayed Alan Brady’s brothers-in-law and show producer. After the series ended, he continued working in Hollywood, starring in movies like “Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Munsters.”
He also appeared in TV game shows like “Family Feud,” and “Match Game.” The actor continued starring in films until he died of a heart attack in 1984 at the age of 63.
Ann Morgan Guilbert (Millie Helper)
Ann Morgan Guilbert played Petrie’s neighbor and Laura’s good friend in “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” After the show ended, the actress continued starting in films.
Guilbert appeared in movies like “Love, American Style,” “Cheers,” and “Herman’s Head.” She also returned for the reunion movie “The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited,” in 2004. She also enjoyed a major role in the “The Fanelli Boys” as Theresa Fanelli between 1999 and 1991. Sadly the actress died in 2016 at the age of 87.
Carl Reiner (Alan Brady)
The iconic producer and actor based “The Dick Van Dyke Show” on his experience in show business. Although he initially wanted a significant role but had to settle for a bit part role.
After the show ended, Reinier continued his fantastic work in Hollywood, creating and directing shows. He even switched to voice acting with roles in “Bob’s Burgers,” and “King of the Hills.” The whole of Hollywood stopped in its tracks when he died at the age of 98 in 2020. Reiner was one of the most revered personalities in Hollywood.
Jerry Paris (Jerry Helper)
Jerry Paris played Petries’ neighbor and Millie Helper’s husband in “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” He also directed a few episodes of the series. Paris even won an Emmy in 1964 for his directorial efforts.
After the series ended, Paris continued directing movies working on “Happy Days” for a decade. He also worked on the “Police Academy” 2 and 3 sequels. For many years Paris directed movies and occasionally showed up on the screen. Sadly, he died in 1986 at the age of 60 due to complications related to a brain tumor.