Dick Van Dyke's Wife Admits She Didn't Know Who He Was When They First Met
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Dick Van Dyke will be taking the stage as a presenter at the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 15. And you know what that means: Viewers and fans can expect to see him strut the red carpet with his wife, Arlene Silver, by his side. But who is Arlene Silver, anyway? Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about Dick Van Dyke’s wife, who is 46 years his junior.
Who Is Arlene Silver?
Arlene Silver is a makeup artist. She was working her craft at the 2006 SAG Awards when she met Dick, whom she didn’t immediately place. "I knew him, I just didn't know how I knew him," she told PEOPLE. "I like that I knew him as a man before I knew him as a performer.”
At the time of their meeting, the Mary Poppins star was still married to his love, Michelle Triola, and remained friendly and on working terms with Arlene. When Michelle died of lung cancer in 2009, Arlene stepped up to show Dick just how much she cared for him. "Arlene would come by after work and bring me food," he told PEOPLE. "She was such a support, I fell in love."
They Share a Passion for Music and Dancing
Part of what brought Dick and Arlene together is their shared love of performing. As their bond blossomed, Dick welcomed Arlene into the Vantastix, his longstanding a cappella group.
"Mostly we sing and dance together," Dick told the Malibu Times. "I've learned so many songs with Dick. Countless," Arlene chimed in the same interview. "He loves to sing all the time, and since we can't always have a band here or the Vantastix, I always want to keep him singing."
Dick and Arlene have also performed together on the silver screen. In 2023, the couple appeared on Days of Our Lives. "I played an old guy, of course, in a wheelchair. My wife played my attendant," Dick told Deadline.
They Got Married in 2012
Dick and Arlene started dating in 2009, they moved in together in 2011, and eventually got married on February 29, 2012—a leap day. They celebrated and cemented their love in a private ceremony in Malibu.
"We take very good care of each other. But, I'm very aware that I have a national treasure on my hands… He's the perfect human being but he's also the perfect partner," Arlene told Huffington Post back in 2013.
"She is the best wife," Dick revealed in his interview with the Malibu Times. "She's made me the happiest man in the world. Our life is so good together."
Last week, Dick took home the Creative Arts Emmy Award for “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic.” He'll be on hand to present at Sunday's ceremony. The 76th Emmy Awards will broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. ET. The awards show will be available for streaming on Hulu Sept. 16-22.
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