MY LUCKY LIFE IN AND OUT OF SHOW BUSINESS (Dick van Dyke) – Charming Entertainment Legend’s Memoir

Why Dick Feels like a Friend

I have not met anyone who hasn’t smiled at the name “Dick van Dyke.” He’s a household name, a legend in show business, and a man who radiates joy and happiness. I listened to the audiobook of his memoir My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business – read by him, which, needless to say, was delightful – and it was so charming.

What the Memoir Includes: Early Life through Career

Dick (I feel like we’re friends now. Definitely first name basis.) wrote his memoir in chronological order, starting with his childhood and figuring out what he wanted to be. He talks about his upbringing, his time in the military, his marriage and the birth of his children, his start in radio, and then naturally, how he entered showbusiness.

He talks in detail about how The Dick van Dyke Show began and spoke incredibly fondly of the series, the cast, and the experience. This, he declared, was the “big break” everyone talks about.

He then went on to do Mary Poppins and spends time discussing that process – from meeting Walt Disney, to recording with Julie Andrews (Hey, check out her memoir too!), to learning choreography that had to be exactly the same way every time because penguins would be animated in the background. 

He writes about his children growing up; how his career evolved after his TV series ended; projects that succeeded and projects that flopped; about attempting to retire and returning to work every single time.

Well, you get the picture. As he said in the book, there’s “no end” to his story. This certainly appears true, as My Lucky Life was published over ten years ago; and at 97, Dick is still going strong and doing what he loves: making people laugh. 

Dick’s Heart & Humor

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was just hearing Dick’s heart through all of it. This is a man who truly delights in bringing happiness to other people. He couldn’t get himself to retire because he just wanted to get back out there. With refreshing lightheartedness, he is frank about his struggles with alcoholism, with quitting smoking, and with providing for his family early on. He doesn’t get bogged down by the struggles of life. 

Family Man

I was also moved by his deep commitment to being a “family man” and providing family entertainment. So often, we see film stars trying to break away from a wholesome image and not wanting to be pigeon-holed into it. And here Dick comes, turning down roles that don’t fit and eventually telling his agent, “I want to do shows families can watch together. Send me those scripts.”

I really respect him for sticking to what he wanted to do and not succumbing to the pressures of Hollywood. Additionally, he and his wife’s disinterest in the Hollywood scene was rather comical. I love that Dick did not enter show business to be famous; it was just what he loved to do.

A Contrast to I’m Glad My Mom Died

I listened to this audiobook at the same time I was reading Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died (click here for the review). The stark contrast was overwhelming. On the one hand, I was reading about this little girl forced into acting to fulfill her mother’s dreams – emotionally abused, physically controlled, and suffering terribly whilst in the business. On the other hand, there’s a man who entered show business because he loved it and has yet to “retire” because of how much joy it brings him. It was such a striking difference between the two that I felt I had to mention it. 

Minor Letdown: Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang

The only thing I didn’t love was the lack of discussion about Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang because that was a childhood favorite of mine. Apparently, it was considered a flop at the time (how!), and obviously Dick can’t talk extensively about every one of his films.

Final Thoughts

Pick up this book – or listen to the audiobook, read by Dick himself! It will fill you with nostalgia and will absolutely bring a smile to your face, even if you’re not a long-time fan of Dick van Dyke. You will want to be his friend by the end.

Content Rating: Mild

some references to smoking, drinking

---

Copyright Dick van Dyke and Crown Publishing. Image from Amazon.