My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business

A Memoir

By: Dick Van Dyke

Narrated by: Dick Van Dyke

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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, his physical dexterity, his impeccable comic timing, his ridiculous stunts, and his unforgettable screen roles.

His trailblazing television program, The Dick Van Dyke Show (produced by Carl Reiner, who has written the foreword to this memoir), 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 beloved today as they were when they first appeared. Who doesn’t know the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

A colorful, loving, richly detailed look at the decades of a multilayered life, My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business will enthrall every generation of listener, from baby-boomers who recall when Rob Petrie became a household name to all those still enchanted by Bert’s “Chim Chim Cher-ee”. This is a lively, heartwarming memoir of 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.

©2011 Dick Van Dyke (P)2011 Random House Audio

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)

“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)

Entertaining and informative

He is very open and candid in this book, yet tells so much of it in a fun and entertaining way. It showed me the person behind the actor I had grown up watching and enjoying most of my life.

Wonderful!

What a fabulous wat to get to know one of my lifetime heroes! A blessed life and a blessing to so many!

Who doesn't love Dick Van Dyke?

If you could sum up My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful! I've always loved Dick Van Dyke and listening to him share his events, thoughts and feelings through his life was great fun. Audio quality is not what it should be, though. Seems like Random House could do better.

Feel Good Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's a fun look back at a great time in America

What does Dick Van Dyke bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice is great to listen too and easy on the ears

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

When Mr Van Dyke met Stan Laurel for the first time...then when Stan passed.

What memories

What a trip down memory lane. I'd think we were done and there'd be more show fun that I'd forgotten. Raucous fun.

Great summary of the life of a great man

Life story as told by Dick Van Dyke is funny, informative and overall reinforces the good outlook of a great man.

Who doesn't love Dick Van Dyke?

I am really glad that he chose to read his own memoir. It makes it much more meaningful and you can tell which things really bothered him and which things brought him joy. I confess I was surprised to hear about his drinking problem and smoking but then it's probably because as a child you always associate the actor with the part he plays and Bert (Mary Poppins) would never have done those things. Silly because we all have our addictions whether it's drinking or smoking too much, eating too much, exercising too much, fretting too much, etc. But really, through all that he is still a guy who wanted only roles that he felt comfortable having his children watch. That is a great moral compass and I admire him for that.

It was just so fun to hear his perspective on projects he'd done and how roles seemed to appear just when he needed them. I ended up watching The Dick Van Dyke Show on late-night TV a few nights after hearing him talk about an episode where he had to sneeze over and over again. It was nice to have his thoughts fresh in my mind.

Wonderful

This was a very enjoyable book, especially as it was read by the author! Dick’s humanity, humor, and genuine humility shine from his telling. And though we have never met (in this life, at least), I am hoping for the opportunity to sit down with him in the next, because I feel that we now know each other—always a sign of a good book. Highly recommended!

Viva Van Dyke!

Love-love-love this heartwarming memoir of a beloved American icon. It's read in his own voice, with as much animation as the Disney movies he loves. He has a warm, sort of "smiling" tone in his voice - like he's about to burst out laughing at any moment. So charming! He's honest, tells the stories of his life in and out of Hollywood. He tells some "true confessions on himself (including his little crush on co-star Mary Tyler Moore). When he talks about other famous people, it is always with respect and discretion. And still, some fascinating insights into the panoply of stars with whom he worked over his long show biz career. I treasure this glimpse into the mind and heart of a genuine human being.

Dick Van Dyke Fans Will Enjoy

As a huge fan of Mr. Van Dyke I throughly enjoyed the book.
Very detailed about his life and honest about his personal and professional life.