Dick Van Dyke, 99, Dazzles at Malibu Gym in Workout Encounter With Rick Springfield
Hollywood icon’s gym moment with the musician highlights his ongoing fitness routine and a series of health disclosures surrounding both stars.
At 99 years old, Dick Van Dyke remains active, and a casual Malibu gym encounter with Rick Springfield drew attention online. Springfield shared on Instagram that he happened upon Van Dyke, who was “working out on every machine,” and added that the veteran actor has lived in Malibu for about 30 years and is “an awesome human being.”
Springfield described the moment as more than just a run-in. He dropped to one knee in a playful boxing pose as Van Dyke, seated on a weight machine, matched the energy with a flex of his own. Springfield recalled, “I thought I was doing well at 76, but Dick got up from the chest press machine and did a little dance step before I left! Amazing!” The two shared a lighthearted moment that quickly circulated on social media, underscoring Van Dyke’s well-documented vitality.
In the months surrounding the gym sighting, Van Dyke’s public appearances have been limited by health considerations. In June, he was scheduled to host a Malibu comedy fundraiser named in his honor—the “Vandy Camp” event to benefit the Malibu Community Labor Exchange—but could not attend due to illness. His wife, Arlene Silver, told the crowd that “When you’re 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days,” and that day was not a good one for him. Van Dyke did not skip the moment entirely; he appeared virtually via livestream and pledged to return next year.
The Los Angeles–area fundraiser episode and the Malibu gym moment come amid broader conversations about Van Dyke’s long career and health over the years. Van Dyke’s career spans The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966) and decades of film and stage work, with a public image rooted in agility and charm that fans say remains evident in recent appearances.
Meanwhile, Springfield has faced his own health challenges in the wake of a serious onstage accident years earlier. The musician disclosed in March that he has been quietly grappling with long-term health issues stemming from a brutal fall in 2000, when he fell about 25 feet, hit his head, and then was struck by a falling piece of wood. He told People that he initially believed only his wrist was broken, but subsequent scans revealed brain damage from the incident. Springfield has since made lifestyle changes, including cutting back on alcohol and pursuing mental health treatments, after learning of the brain injury on a full-body MRI.
The revelations fit within a broader arc of public updates about both stars. Van Dyke, whose body of work helped define American television comedy, remains a symbol of late-life stamina, even as his family emphasizes the unpredictable nature of health at nearly a century old. Springfield, whose hit songs and acting work span several decades, has also been candid about the long-term effects of his accident and the steps he has taken to manage his health. The Malibu moment—captured in photos circulating online—serves as a snapshot of two legendary entertainers navigating aging, resilience, and the ongoing conversations about health in the public eye.
As both men continue to evolve in the public sphere, fans can expect occasional crossover moments like the Malibu gym sighting, which highlight the ways in which iconic figures remain part of contemporary culture. Van Dyke’s late-life energy and Springfield’s candid health narrative together reflect a broader truth about culture and entertainment: longevity in the spotlight often comes with renewed emphasis on wellness, adaptation, and the human stories behind legendary careers.
