Dick Van Dyke Reveals The Iconic Role He Turned Down, And Now Regrets
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM EST
Dick Van Dyke is making headlines once again, this time for revealing a surprising Hollywood “what if” that fans never saw coming. As the beloved "Mary Poppins" and "Dick Van Dyke Show" legend approaches his 100th birthday, he’s opening up about the iconic role he almost played decades ago. James Bond. The 99-year-old star shared that he was once approached about becoming 007, but an unexpected obstacle, his famously shaky British accent, kept him from stepping into the tuxedo. Van Dyke’s revelation arrives as he also gives fans an emotional health update, reflecting on how aging has changed his life and career. From turning down cross-country work to adjusting to new physical limitations, the Hollywood icon is speaking candidly about what life looks like as he nears a century.
Dick Van Dyke Says He Nearly Became James Bond
The 99-year-old entertainment legend, who will celebrate his 100th birthday next month, revealed in a new interview with "Today"’s Al Roker that he was once approached about becoming the next James Bond. According to Van Dyke, the opportunity came directly from iconic producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who worked with the actor on "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and, of course, brought the early "007" films to life.
“Cubby Broccoli came to me and said, ‘Would you like to be Bond?’” Van Dyke recalled. “And I said, ‘Have you heard my British accent?’”
His Infamous ‘Mary Poppins’ Accent Cost Him A Shot At James Bond
Van Dyke famously struggled with the accent in "Mary Poppins," and even decades later, his portrayal remains a lighthearted Hollywood punchline. He joked that even he knew audiences would never buy the world’s most sophisticated spy sounding like that.
Still, the actor admits there’s a tiny part of him that wonders what could’ve been. The Bond role went on to become one of Hollywood’s most coveted, with only a small handful of actors, Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig, ever stepping into the tuxedo.
Dick Van Dyke Shares An Emotional Health Update As He Nears His 100th Birthday
Van Dyke’s surprising "Bond" revelation comes on the heels of a deeply personal update about his health as he approaches his milestone birthday. In a candid reflection for the Sunday Times, the Hollywood icon opened up about the physical and emotional challenges that have come with aging and how he’s learning to navigate a world that feels increasingly smaller.
“It’s frustrating to feel diminished in the world, physically and socially,” he wrote, explaining that long-distance travel has become too taxing. He recently turned down work in Chicago and New York because the trips were simply more than his body could handle. These days, most of his socializing happens at home.
The 99-Year-Old Says He’s Become His Own Characters
For decades, Van Dyke played spry, comedic older characters, and now, he says, he has unintentionally grown into those roles. “Like my old characters, I am now a stooper, a shuffler, and a teeterer. I have feet problems and I go supine as often as is politely possible,” he shared.
Despite the limitations, Van Dyke continues to focus on joy, gratitude, and the people who surround him. His reflections serve as a reminder of the humor and heart that have carried him through nearly a century of life, and an extraordinary Hollywood career that almost included James Bond.
Dick Van Dyke Jokes About Turning 100
As Dick Van Dyke edges closer to his milestone 100th birthday, the legendary performer is meeting the moment with the same humor and charm that defined his career. During the Vandy High Tea event on October 5, held at the Vandy Manor in Malibu, California, Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene, joined fans for an afternoon of music, stories, and performances benefiting The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the in-development Dick Van Dyke Museum.
While reflecting on the upcoming celebration, Van Dyke couldn’t resist slipping in a joke about his age. “That's right. I'm not officially a hundred until December,” he said. “Two months. Two months.” Then, he quipped, “It’d be funny if I didn’t make it.”
As Dick Van Dyke approaches his 100th birthday, every new revelation reminds fans why he has remained one of Hollywood’s most cherished icons, whether he became James Bond or not.
