Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke in Dick Tracy

Dick Van Dyke (1925 - )

Film Deaths

• Mary Poppins (1964) [Mr. Dawes Sr.]: Playing a dual role, "Mr. Dawes Sr." dies (off-screen) of a heart attack during a laughing fit that causes him to float off the ground. The scene ends with him rising into the air as he laughs; his death is confirmed when his son (Arthur Malet) informs David Tomlinson. "Bert" survives the movie.

• What a Way to Go! (1964) [Edgar Hopper]: Dies of a heart attack while talking on the phone to Shirley MacLaine, after declaring that "A little hard work never killed anybody." (Played for comic effect.)

• The Comic (Billy Bright) (1969) [Billy Bright]: Dies (off-screen) of unspecified natural causes; his body is shown at his funeral at the beginning of the movie, as he narrates his life story (in flashback) from beyond the grave.

• Cold Turkey (1971) [Reverend Clayton Brooks]: Accidentally shot by Judith Lowry, who was aiming for Bob Newhart. (He's last seen alive but wounded; it's unconfirmed whether the shot was fatal.) (Played for comic effect.)

• Dick Tracy (1990) [D.A. Fletcher]: Shot to death by Madonna, in a set-up to frame Warren Beatty.

TV Deaths

• Scrubs: My Brother, My Keeper (2003) [Dr. Townshend]: Stabbed in the back by Zach Braff in a daydream sequence, when Zack imagines a literal interpretation of his betrayal of Dick by reporting Dick's ordering of an outdated procedure. Dick survives the episode in reality. (Played for comic effect.)

Notable Connections

• Brother of Jerry Van Dyke

• Father of Barry Van Dyke.

• Grandfather of Carey, Shane, Wes, and Taryn Van Dyke .

Gallery

dickvandyke.jpg