In Dick Van Dyke's long and distinguished career, he conquered both Television and Film. Beloved by fans for his classic 1960's sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show (which lasted for five seasons and won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards) and the later Diagnosis: Murder series (in the 1990's and into the 2000's), he also made guest appearances on such acclaimed series' as The Jack Benny Program, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Columbo, The Carol Burnett Show, and Matlock. His easy charm as well as his distinctive and handsome features won over audiences in the musicals Bye Bye Birdie and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He is the recipient of a Golden Globe, Tony, Grammy, a Daytime Emmy, and four Primetime Emmys. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. He was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021.
But Van Dyke is arguably most famous for portraying Bert, the lovably cockney and jack-of-all-trades, as well as playing the part of Mr. Dawes Sr., in Walt Disney's adaptation of P. L. Travers's Mary Poppins. Released in 1964, the film grossed $31 million in its original domestic run and became the highest-grossing film of 1964. At the time of its release, it was Disney's highest-grossing film ever, going on to gross over $103 million worldwide during its theatrical lifetime. Out of a total of 13 Academy Award nominations, it won five: Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" (which would later come to be regarded as Bert's theme as he sings it to the children as well as preforming short snippets of the song at various times throughout the film). The film is beloved by Disney fans and average viewers alike and is considered Walt Disney's crowning live-action achievement. It is the only one of his films to earn a Best Picture nomination during his lifetime. In 2013, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." And Van Dyke, over 50 years after the original film's release, would go on to play Mr. Dawes Jr. in Mary Poppins Returns in 2018). For his role as Bert in the original film, Van Dyke was recognized by the Walt Disney Company in 1988 as a Disney Legend (and he is currently the oldest living honoree).
This photo, from The Dick Van Dyke Show, featuring both Van Dyke as Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as Laura Petrie, is autographed by hand by Van Dyke and is certified authentic by CGC as part of their special Signature Series. The photo measures 8 by 10 inches, is in excellent condition, and will be shipped very securely.