Jerry Van Dyke, the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke who struggled for decades to achieve his own stardom before clicking as the dim-witted sidekick in television's "Coach," died Friday in Arkansas, according to his manager. The Danville native was 86.
After the Danville High School show choir performed some of the best-known songs from his movie musicals, 1944 graduate Dick Van Dyke took to the stage to talk about the importance of supporting the arts, and performed songs with his quartet, the Vantastix. Friday night's sellout performance marked the start of fundraising efforts for the Dick Van Dyke Foundation.
The 90-year old actor made a grand entrance Thursday, riding up to Danville High School in a replica of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' with a performance by the school's show choir. Van Dyke is back to mark the launch a foundation to restore his childhood home, and help fund careers in the arts for young people.
The 90-year old actor's return to Danville will include fundraising events to preserve his childhood home. Public events will include a tribute at Danville High School, following by a reception at Harrison Park. "Through all my 90 years, I've remained, in my heart, the same Midwestern nerd you knew so long ago," Van Dyke said in a statement released by Mayor Scott Eisenhauer.
The executive director of Dick Van Dyke's charitable foundation says the 90-year-old actor will take part in events in Danville and suburban Chicago next month.
