What is the current status of the Dick Van Dyke Museum that is in development?

The article does not provide any updates on the current status of the Dick Van Dyke Museum, as it is focused on the actor's reflections on his iconic role in Mary Poppins.

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Dick Van Dyke Reflects on His Iconic Role in Mary Poppins

Q: How did Dick Van Dyke get the role of Bert in Mary Poppins?

According to Van Dyke, Walt Disney personally called him after hearing his comments about the lack of good entertainment for children, and offered him the part on the spot.

Q: What did the author of the original Mary Poppins books, Pamela Lyndon Travers, think about the film's casting?

Travers was not a fan of Van Dyke or co-star Julie Andrews being cast in the film, and even tried to get Disney to make changes, but was told "the boat has sailed."

11 Oct

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Summary

Dick Van Dyke, 99, shares how he almost didn't get the role of Bert in Mary Poppins
Walt Disney personally called Van Dyke after hearing his comments about lack of good entertainment for kids
Author Pamela Lyndon Travers was not a fan of Van Dyke or Julie Andrews being cast in the film

Dick Van Dyke Reflects on His Iconic Role in Mary Poppins

In October 2025, legendary actor Dick Van Dyke, now 99 years old, looked back on his remarkable career and the story behind his most famous role as the chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins.

Van Dyke recently hosted a charity event called Vandy High Tea, where he discussed how he almost didn't get the part. The actor recalled that it was a simple process, as Walt Disney himself called Van Dyke after hearing his comments about the lack of good entertainment for children. Disney then offered him the role on the spot.

However, the author of the original Mary Poppins books, Pamela Lyndon Travers, was not as enthusiastic about the casting. Van Dyke shared that Travers "wasn't crazy about anything" related to the film adaptation, including his and co-star Julie Andrews' performances. The author even tried to get Disney to make changes, but the studio head told her "the boat has sailed."