My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business

Stage, film, and TV actor Dick Van Dyke winningly recounts his life and career, beginning with local radio and the hit-record pantomiming act he performed with a partner. The star of the TV show that carried his name also explores the challenges he encountered, including his alcoholism, his divorce from the mother of his children, and the death of his longtime partner, Michelle Triola, who encouraged the creation of this book. Van Dyke's somewhat weathered voice reflects his well-lived years. Further, his conversational tone and moderate pacing make this a warm and engaging listening experience. And who could resist hearing the personal story of the man who breathed life into Rob Petrie? W.A.G. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

February 28, 2011
In this intimate, honest memoir by TV's favorite Mr. Nice Guy, good husband, and loving father, we discover that though his persona was not an act, Van Dyke battled alcohol addiction and left a long-term marriage while struggling to maintain his image as a man of principle and values. Growing up in the Midwest, healthy and happy, Van Dyke founds his niche early with radio, then as a nightclub comedian in L.A. With no acting or dance or music training, he landed a role in Broadway's Bye Bye, Birdie and later on in the film (he provides some fun stories about Ann-Margret, Paul Lynde, and Maureen Stapleton). It was Carl Reiner who made him a household name with The Dick Van Dyke Show—which was based on reality, with many scenarios from the actors' actual lives. Along the road to success with such films as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, Van Dyke discusses his social drinking as a problem, and treatment, which he ultimately revealed at a D.C. press conference with other high-profile recovering alcoholics. He reminds us there are happy clowns and sad clowns: "The public saw a smiling, nimble-footed performer while my family and friends were served up a more contemplative loner, a man who many said was hard to know."