Dick Van Dyke‘s candid reflections about his life and profession proceed forward of his extremely anticipated a hundredth birthday.

The Hollywood icon has stolen the hearts of a number of generations of followers along with his performing, singing, and dancing abilities. He’s gifted with the flexibility to show any frown right into a smile; nonetheless, his life hasn’t at all times been brimming with positivity.

Dick Van Dyke lately confessed that his dedication to his profession to make sure a greater future for his youngsters made it difficult to be a gift father.

In a brand new interview, Dick opened up concerning the challenges he confronted as a father of 4 throughout the begin of his leisure profession. He welcomed sons, Christian and Barry, alongside two daughters, Stacy and Carrie Beth, throughout his first marriage to the late Margerie Willet.

Dick defined that he struggled to carry his household out of poverty to start with, lengthy earlier than his large break in Hollywood. He labored numerous jobs to maintain them afloat, recalling that he did recreation exhibits, performed at nightclubs, and would get about three to 4 hours of sleep in between these gigs.

The “Mary Poppins” star admitted that it was difficult balancing his work and household life, telling PEOPLE his kids may need been affected by his lengthy absences.

“They most likely received uncared for sooner or later, as a result of I used to be actually working onerous to get out of poverty, so to talk, however I have never had any complaints from anyone,” Dick mentioned.

Throughout his over three-decade relationship along with his late ex-wife, Dick welcomed 4 distinctive kids. The oldest, Christian, was born in Might 1950, and he initially adopted in his well-known father’s footsteps by starring on “The Dick Van Dyke Present” at 11 years previous.

Nonetheless, Hollywood wasn’t Christian’s calling as he went on to check legislation at Arizona State College. He kicked off his profession within the authorized scene as a deputy district lawyer in Corvallis, Oregon. Christian was additionally the district lawyer for Marion County, amongst different successes.

Dick’s second son, Barry, was born in July 1951 with a ardour for performing. Regardless of his curiosity, the TV icon stopped his son from pursuing his dream till he graduated from highschool. TODAY reported that Barry as soon as claimed his father stopped him as a result of he needed him to expertise a standard childhood.

Barry adopted in Dick’s footsteps as an actor, working with him on the present “Prognosis Homicide” after making his performing debut like his different siblings on “The Dick Van Dyke Present” in 1962. His youthful sister, Stacy, additionally caught the performing bug.

After starring on their father’s exhibits, Stacy continued pursuing an performing profession by becoming a member of the Barnstormers, a performing group on the Windmill Dinner Theater in Phoenix. Regardless of her ardour for performing, she largely averted the highlight.

Stacy selected to not pursue the extent of fame Dick has, a sentiment her youthful sister, Carrie Beth, echoed. After starring on her father’s present as a toddler, she largely averted the limelight. There’s not a lot details about Carrie Beth; nonetheless, she tied the knot to Kevin McNally in 1983.

In his interview with PEOPLE, Van Dyke raved about his ever-blossoming relationship along with his spouse, Arlene Silver. Regardless of their 46-year age hole, the longtime companions haven’t solely made their marriage work however nonetheless really feel head over heels for one another.

Van Dyke defined that his union with Silver didn’t face the hardships many thought they’d, given their large age hole. He credited their lack of challenges to his mindset, explaining that he at all times felt younger at coronary heart.

“I am childish to start out with. I feel I am about 13, in order that’s been an issue, and he or she’s fairly mature for her age, so I do not assume we have not had any downside with age in any respect,” Van Dyke shared. He credited Silver for his youthful spirit, raving about his luck in marrying the proper accomplice.