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Inside Dick Van Dyke's relationship with famous brother and grandson

Jerry Van Dyke passed away in 2018

Maria Sarabi
Junior Writer
January 18, 2025
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Dick Van Dyke was not the only member of his family to grace the big screen. 

The actor's younger brother, the late Jerry Van Dyke, was often forgotten in the shadows of the Mary Poppin's star before he forged his own career path in television. 

Dick also has a star-studded grandson, the actor Shane Van Dyke. 

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Dick Van Dyke's family legacy

Dick's brother

Jerry Van Dyke and Dick Van Dyke in 1993© Getty Images
Jerry Van Dyke and Dick Van Dyke in 1993

One of Jerry's earliest TV appearances was courtesy of his older brother and arose in 1962 during a two-part episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show. Jerry played Stacey Petrie, the comedian brother of Dick's iconic character Rob Petrie. 

While Dick was famed for major roles in the likes of the Broadway show and film Bye Bye Birdie and the stellar movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jerry starred in a slew of shorter projects, such as The Judy Garland Show and the game show Picture This. The late-performer's breakout arose in 1989 when he landed the role of Luther Van Dam in Coach. The character earned him four Emmy nominations and an invitation of the Late Show With David Letterman

Outside of their professional work, the brothers shared a close bond. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2015, the duo, who were both in their 80s, opened up about their relationship. "I looked up to him as a kid," said Jerry about his big brother. 

Dick went on to add: "The main thing about Jerry is that he’s funny from the inside out."

Dick Van Dyke, winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, attends the 76th Creative Arts Emmys Winner's Walk at Peacock Theater on September 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California© Getty Images
Dick Van Dyke won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special

The interview came about as the brothers were set to reunite on screen in the ABC sitcom The Middle, where they played squabbling siblings. 

Jerry approached Eileen Heisler, the creator and executive producer of the show, with the idea of the brothers starring alongside each other. 

Eileen said: "We always sort of knew that Dick and Jerry had an old funny relationship. They are very different personalities. Our show is all about family dynamics. We wanted to make it a fun thing about a brothers’ dynamic that didn’t change no matter how old you are.”

During the interview, the duo revealed that due to their six-year age gap, they wearn't that close while growing up in Danville, Ill.

The brothers often starred alongside each other© Getty Images
The brothers often starred alongside each other

“We were too far apart in age,” Dick said. “We loved each other, but I was out of high school before he got in.”

Jerry added: “We are becoming closer,” he said. “I’m really getting to know him better at this age.”

“It’s because we have been working together more," said Dick. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Jones, and his two children, daughter Jerri Lynne and son Ronals, both from his first marriage to Carol Johnson. 

Dick's grandson

Dick Van Dyke with his son Barry and grandsons Carey and Shane © Getty Images
Dick Van Dyke with his son Barry and grandsons Carey and Shane

It seems possessing the talent to capture an audience on screen runs in the family as Dick's grandson, Shane, is no stranger to a Hollywood blockbuster. Shane is the child of Dick's son Barry and has starred alongside his grandfather in various TV shows including Diagnosis Murder and Murder 101. The 45-year-old has also featured in the likes of Titanic II, Paranormal Entity and most recently Don't Worry Darling

Discussing how his children and grandchildren have featured on episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis: Murder and The New Dick Van Dyke Show, the actor told CNN 1998: "Barry's teenage sons were on, and I had my daughter Stacy on the show, too. That's carrying nepotism to its ultimate!."

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