My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business

A Memoir

By: Dick Van Dyke

Narrated by: Dick Van Dyke

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The legendary Hollywood star of classic films and TV shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bye Bye Birdie, and Mary Poppins shares intimate stories from six decades of his renowned career.

“Earnest, funny, and appealing . . . captures the essence of an eventful life lived on and off the small screen.”—The Washington Post

With a foreword by Carl Reiner

Dick Van Dyke, indisputably one of the greats of the golden age of television, is admired and beloved by audiences the world over for his beaming smile, physical dexterity, impeccable comic timing, ridiculous stunts, and unforgettable screen roles.

His trailblazing television program, The Dick Van Dyke Show, was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s and introduced another major television star, Mary Tyler Moore. But Dick Van Dyke was also an enormously engaging movie star whose films, including Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, have been discovered by a new generation of fans and are as cherished today as they were when they first appeared. Who doesn’t know the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business is a colorful, loving, richly detailed look at the decades of a multilayered life, written by a performer who still thinks of himself as a “simple song-and-dance man,” but who is, in every sense of the word, a classic entertainer.

Critic reviews

“In my opinion, ‘Luck’ has little to do with Dick Van Dyke’s life. It is, rather, his innate kindness and talent that have had an extraordinary effect in shaping the man. And what a fascinating self-portrait he’s given us in this book.”—Mary Tyler Moore

“One of television’s most renowned comedians . . . a model of beaming, even if slightly dizzy, congeniality.”—The New York Times

“Engaging.”—Los Angeles Times

“Six decades’ worth of showbiz stories from the Hollywood funnyman.”—Entertainment Weekly

“[Van Dyke] recaps the fortuitous turns that led to a storied and long career.”—USA Weekend

“From the time I worked with Dick on the movie Bye Bye Birdie, I have admired his many talents, not the least of which is the joy and enthusiasm he shares with audiences. I’m a big fan of his . . . and his book.”—Ann-Margret

“Van Dyke tells a wonderful story about himself and his times. And—in an often surprsingly relevant manner—our times. We’ve always liked the performer—it’s hard not to like Dick Van Dyke—but this will will make you admire him.”—Playbill

Great book, wish there was more

If you love Dick Van Dyke you will love this book. I only wish it were longer. It is narrated by Dick Van Dyke himself so in that sense it is better than the paper version. Although I do wish I had the paper version with the photos...

honest, warm, both funny and sad

What did you love best about My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business?

His early days and his unlikely rise to stardom. Lucky indeed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business?

His memories of the movies I loved as a child, especially Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (he hated it)

Which character – as performed by Dick Van Dyke – was your favorite?

Burt, the chimneysweep, is a close second to Rob Petrie.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many, but his meetings and friendships with the old silent comedians, Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton.

childhood fan 5 stars of course

as a fan I loved this man when I was a child. loved it

Loved it…

I'm glad DVD got to put this to paper and happy he made the choice so long ago to focus on uplifting material.

loved it.

I absolutely loved this book. I laughed and cried. His perspective on life is incredible and his determination to keep gping what he loves despite his age is inspiring