Dick Van Dyke considers himself fortunate he likely won’t survive Donald Trump’s second term as president.
The Hollywood legend, 98, was seen out on Tuesday with his wife Arlene Silver, 52, when he responded to questions about the 78-year-old president-elect’s recent victory. Van Dyke, who turns 99 next month, said he’s grateful he “won’t be around” to experience Trump’s return to The White House.
“Does the future look bright for America?” a paparazzo asked the “Mary Poppins” star as he and Silver got into their car, according to DailyMail.
Van Dyke didn’t hear the question at first, but after Silver repeated it to him, he replied, “I hope you’re right!”
The photographer followed up, asking, “Do you think Donald Trump is capable of making America great again?” The acting great gave a wry response.
“Fortunately I won’t be around to experience the four years,” he said with a smile.
Van Dyke subtly endorsed Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, in a video posted on his Instagram the day before this year’s election.
In the video, he recited a speech written by Rod Serling, “the guy who wrote ‘Twilight Zone,’” as Van Dyke put it, that he first read on May 31, 1964 next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the LA Colosseum.
After reading the speech, Van Dyke said that “a lot has happened” over the past 50 years, but added that much has remained the same. “It’s not what Martin Luther King dreamed of but it’s a start,” he said. “Thank you and God bless.”
Though he didn’t mention Harris or Trump by name, Van Dyke tagged the Harris campaign’s Instagram account along with the official account of the vice president.
He captioned the post, “VOTE!!!”
Van Dyke’s latest comments about his age are in fitting with other morbid but humorous remarks he’s made recently.
When asked in September how he was feeling after missing this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards — which he was originally slated to attend as a presenter — the comedy legend grinned and said, “I feel old.”
Van Dyke, who turns 99 on Dec. 13, also responded to a question about his plans for his upcoming birthday. “[I’m] just praying that I make it,” he quipped.
In addition to missing the Primetime Emmys, Van Dyke had to skip a three-day FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, from Sept. 26 to 28 because “traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time,” a statement released Sept. 23 said.
Despite his health struggles, the star did appear at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 7.
Reflecting on his career, Van Dyke told reporters at the awards that he wants to be remembered “for laughter.”
