I had the honor of directing and writing for Dick for a few years for some stage productions we did together.

He is even more of a joy in person, and not an ounce of ego. I live for this man. May he live forever.

Dick Van Dyke Trends as Fans Celebrate the TV Icon's 97th Birthday #DickVanDyke https://movieweb.com/dick-van-dyke-97/

2/ I rarely share tweets, but this is for real. We used to do this very thing in restaurants, in front of restaurants. He's teach us harmonies on the spot and we'd burst into song.

In my next toot in this thread, I'll share a photo of our time together. What an absolute treasure he is. https://twitter.com/schnickILfritz/status/1602545180858621952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1602545180858621952%7Ctwgr%5E75c4559b3c1add553b156cc023f3c57df5133ca2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmovieweb.com%2Fdick-van-dyke-97%2F

Schnickelfritz! 🍻 on Twitter

“Happy 97th Birthday to the legendary Dick Van Dyke. Never forget the time he surprised a Denny's diners with an impromptu performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. https://t.co/nmQexrvQxA”

Twitter
3/ This is us singing in my comedy class (that's how Dick Van Dyke found me, I taught comedy at a public theater arts magnet high school after I stopped TV acting/writing). He would spontaneously teach us our harmony parts and somehow it ALWAYS worked. And I'm not even a singer!
@GottaLaff That’s wonderful! I’m glad to know he’s as great in person.
@GottaLaff look at you!!! How is it you never change? 😻
@Alikat747 Lol, oh I change. I just hide it well. xoxoxoxoxo
@GottaLaff mensch.
@Oldandcranky Perfect word for him. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful he was to be with.
@GottaLaff He was responsible for so many of my first huge laughs as a kid. The image of Laura Petrie sliding out of a closet on a pile of walnuts never fails to make me laugh hysterically. Brilliant show and he was freaking hilarious in it.
@Oldandcranky That was Jerry Paris's favorite episode. I took a class from Jerry at UCLA extension years ago and he loved to talk about that episode.
@GottaLaff One of the funniest episodes of television ever aired.
@GottaLaff actually, oddly enough, it may be rivaled by MTM's Chuckles The Clown ep.

@Oldandcranky That one is to DIE for. I got to work with Mary too, twice.

I did some V.O. live for her Mary Tyler Moore Hour show after MTM show was over.

FACT:

I still binge watch old episodes of the Dick Van Dyke Show and use all those golden one-liners and bits in my everyday vernacular.

This man is a UNESCO level treasure.

@GottaLaff Almost had a heart attack there… *phew*
@GottaLaff He’s the best!
@howllr He so is. I hope you got to read the whole thread.

@GottaLaff

I am of the generation who got to watch him on TV all the time and adored him. His show was the best, so great, Buddy, Sally, Mary, Mel, etc. -

Carl Reiner - genus.

@KFClinton Same. Fun facts: I also worked with Mary. And Mr. Laffy grew up a street away from the Reiners who lived on Bonnie Meadow Rd in New Rochelle. And Jerry & Millie were real (got divorced, both have since died, the Schoenbaums. We still see their son)

We were friends with a few of the DvD Show writers. One gave me my first acting job!

@GottaLaff

I was in Queens. We all had that NY sense of humor and it was such a strong and smart ass show.

@GottaLaff He and Bob Barker: icons of kindness!
@GottaLaff
This fine gentleman showed up for an Occupy Protest. He is one of us.