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Dick Van Dyke attends Carol Burnett's Hand and Footprint in the Cement Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 20, 2024 in Hollywood, California.© Getty Images

Dick Van Dyke, 98, appears in family photo spanning three generations with famous son and grandson

The Mary Poppins star is a dad-of-four, and is currently married to make-up artist Arlene Silver

Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
November 26, 2024
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Dick Van Dyke has a family that's chock full of talent, with the Disney legend's children and grandchildren continuing his decades-long legacy in the entertainment world.

The 98-year-old screen and stage icon welcomed four children with his first wife Margie Willett, Christian, Barry, Stacy and Carrie Beth, and all of them have appeared on the screen alongside their dad.

However, none have followed in his footsteps quite like Barry, now 73, who starred alongside Dick in Diagnosis: Murder from 1993-2001. Since 1974, he has been married to Mary Carey, and they share four children.

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In a photo from last year shared recently on Dick's social media page, it's clear to see how much the genes have passed down over the generations, as the actor poses with his younger son plus his grandson Wes.

Wes, 40, is the second-youngest of Barry and Mary's kids, with the couple also parents to sons Carey and Shane, and daughter Taryn. Wes is also an actor, but has now pivoted into a career in fine art.

"Three generations of incredible artists," the photo was captioned, capturing the three men at Wes' art show at Malibu City Hall last year, with the proud dad and granddad wearing a suit to support his family.

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Fans responded with adoring comments like: "Such a Beautiful picture of generations of talent!! Also still watch Diagnosis: Murder!!" and: "Beautiful photo and family..truly blessed," as well as: "All I see is a diagnosis murder sequel… it's nice to see Barry!"

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times when the show premiered three decades ago, Barry couldn't help but fawn over working with his famous father, who was already a Hollywood veteran by then.

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"I'd work with him any time," he said, calling him "the best to work with, very creative. He has a lot of integrity and he'll work no matter what, including physical discomfort. He set a fine example. We've always talked about working together."

Portrait of American actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke with his wife, Margie Willet, posing in front of a fire place with their four children: Barry, Carrie, Chris, and Stacey. Van Dyke and Willet are sitting on a coffee table while their children stand be© Getty Images
The actor and his first wife Margie Willet welcomed four children during their marriage

Speaking of their onscreen dynamic, which involves them playing a father-son duo once again, he added: "It's an easy role for me to fall into." 

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"My dad pretty much plays himself. You're seeing the real him. All that warmth and humanity really comes across. So I tend to play myself. So their relationship is pretty much ours."

Diagnosis Murder, a CBS medical crime drama series. Left to right, Barry Van Dyke (as Steve Sloan) and Dick Van Dyke (as Dr. Mark Sloan)© Getty Images
Barry starred in "Diagnosis: Murder" for eight years alongside his father

"He wanted me to have my childhood," Barry added of growing up sequestered from Hollywood while also making cameos on his father's variety show. "He told me that if I still wanted to act after I graduated high school, then it would be OK."

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Barry explained that his father was never much of a showbiz type. "My father didn't travel in those circles. We were aware he was on TV and watched the show and knew it was successful, but we didn't socialize with a lot of show-business types."

Actor Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Triola, son Barry Van Dyke and wife Mary Van Dyke attend Third Annual American Comedy Awards on May 23, 1989 at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California© Getty Images
Barry and his wife Mary with dad Dick Van Dyke

He was well aware, however, that making his own name in the industry couldn't just be reliant on Dick's name. "There's too much at stake for producers and casting directors to get you in on just a name. You either perform or you don't. You work or you don't."

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