When the stage doors swung open and those familiar, lanky limbs started moving, the entire room basically lost its mind. It wasn't just another guest performance. Seeing Dick Van Dyke Dancing with the Stars—even if it was technically for a massive Disney tribute special—felt like watching a masterclass in joy.
He was 90.
Most people at 90 are happy to make it to the kitchen without a hitch. Dick Van Dyke, on the other hand, was busy "stepping in time" with Derek Hough. It was part of The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 special, which aired on ABC. Because of the heavy overlap with the Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) pro cast and the same network stage, fans have associated the two forever.
People always ask if he was a contestant. Honestly, no. He never did the full season grind. Could you imagine? The rehearsals alone would be brutal for a man in his nineties. But his impact on the show and the pros who dance on it is massive.
The Night Dick Van Dyke Dancing with the Stars Pro Derek Hough Met His Hero
The connection between the legend and the show really centers on Derek Hough. Hough, a multi-time mirrorball trophy winner and now a judge, has never been shy about his obsession with Van Dyke’s style. It’s that "rubber-limbed" vaudeville energy.
During the 2016 tribute, Hough was leading a massive ensemble of chimney sweeps. It was high energy. It was loud. Then, those doors opened.
Dick Van Dyke walked out and didn't just stand there. He did the knee-high kicks. He synced up with the pros. The audience wasn't just clapping; they were screaming. It’s one of those rare TV moments that feels authentic because you can see the genuine shock and delight on the professional dancers' faces. They weren't just backing up a celebrity; they were sharing the floor with the man who basically invented the "modern" version of the Hollywood song-and-dance man.
Why he never did the full show
Look, the producers probably asked. They ask everyone. But Van Dyke has been open about the fact that he didn't even start professional dancing until he was in his thirties for Mary Poppins. He’s a "natural" who learned on the fly.
The grueling schedule of a standard DWTS season—six hours of rehearsal a day, every day—is a lot. Even for someone as fit as Dick. He’s always said his "secret" is to keep moving, but there's a difference between a celebratory jig and a competitive Argentine Tango.
✨ Don't miss: House of Gucci streamen: Why Everyone is Still Obsessed with the Black Widow
The 2023 Birthday Special and the DWTS Connection
Fast forward to late 2023. Dick turned 98. CBS aired a massive special called Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic. If you watched it, you saw the DWTS DNA everywhere.
- Derek Hough was there, obviously.
- JoJo Siwa (a DWTS alum) performed.
- Amber Riley (another winner) sang "Chim Chim Cher-ee."
- Amanda Kloots (another alum) performed "Put on a Happy Face."
It felt like a Dancing with the Stars reunion, just held in honor of the king of the craft. Seeing him watch these young performers do his choreography was a "passing of the torch" moment.
But then, he got up.
He danced on stage after winning a Creative Arts Emmy for that very special in 2024. At 98! He was tied with Norman Lear for the oldest winner ever. He didn't use the cane for the dance; he used it as a prop. That’s the difference. For Dick Van Dyke, a cane isn't a mobility aid; it's a hat-and-cane routine waiting to happen.
What Most People Get Wrong About His "Dancing"
There’s this weird misconception that Dick Van Dyke was a trained dancer from birth. He wasn't. He was a radio DJ. He was a comedian.
When he got cast in Bye Bye Birdie, he had to figure it out. By the time Mary Poppins rolled around, he was working with the best in the business, but he always kept that "everyman" quality. That's why he fits the Dancing with the Stars vibe so well. The show is about the journey of learning to move.
👉 See also: Why All Characters of Frozen Still Have a Grip on Pop Culture Years Later
Van Dyke’s "journey" just happened to last 80 years.
He’s mentioned in interviews, including a recent chat with Entertainment Tonight, that he still goes to the gym three days a week. He still practices his steps. He’s basically the living embodiment of what the DWTS judges preach every Tuesday night: it’s about spirit, not just the steps.
The Legend’s Impact on the Ballroom
If you watch modern seasons of DWTS, you see his influence in the "Character" or "Jazz" rounds. Any time a pro dancer puts on a boater hat or does a stylized, goofy strut, they are quoting Dick Van Dyke.
He’s the "North Star" for performers like Derek Hough and Mark Ballas. They don't just want to dance well; they want to make people smile the way he did when he stepped out of those double doors in 2016.
👉 See also: Destiny's Child: What Band Was Beyonce In Before The World Went Solo
What you can learn from the "Van Dyke Method"
If you’re a fan of the show or just someone trying to stay active, his "method" is pretty simple:
- Don't stop moving. He literally says if he sits down for too long, he'll never get up.
- Use what you have. If you have a cane, make it part of the dance.
- Laugh at yourself. He’s the first to admit his "cockney" accent was terrible, and he's the first to joke if he misses a step.
Dick Van Dyke’s "performances" on or around the Dancing with the Stars stage aren't about technical perfection. They’re about the fact that he's still there, still kicking, and still has more rhythm in his pinky finger than most people half his age.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the magic yourself, go find the clip of the "Step in Time" performance from the Disney 60th special. It’s the definitive moment where the worlds of Mary Poppins and Dancing with the Stars collided. Also, keep an eye on his Instagram—he’s known to post "spooky" dance videos even as he approaches 100, proving that the ballroom never really closes if you've got the right attitude.