Actress Michele Lee, 83, is opening up about her long-time friendship with actorDick Van Dyke, 99.
During an August 2025 interview on That’s Classic, Lee said she has been friends with Van Dyke since co-starring in the 1969 film, The Comic. In the film, Lee played Mary Gibson, who had a rocky marriage to silent film comedian Billy Bright (Van Dyke).
“Dick Van Dyke and I remain friends to this day,” said Lee during the interview.
She then spoke about Van Dyke’s relationship to his second wife, Arlene Silver, 53, whom he married in 2012.
“I love his wife. And the love story is so real,” said Lee.
The Knots Landing actress also addressed the scrutiny Silver received for marrying a beloved celebrity 46 years her senior.
“His wife is much, much younger than him. So when they started going with each other, most people felt like, ‘Oh my god. What’s going on? How is he going to handle this?’ And you know, you’re sure that this woman is trying to do a number,” said Lee.
The actress said, however, that Silver and Van Dyke have a genuine love for each other.
“It’s a love story. He loves her so much. And they have fun together. They sing as much as he can do today. He does it,” said Lee in the That’s Classic interview.
Dick Van Dyke & His Wife Spoke About Their Relationship in a 2015 Interview
According to People magazine, Van Dyke, famous for his work in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, and Bye Bye Birdie, was introduced to Silver, a makeup artist, in 2006. Van Dyke and Silver reminisced about their meeting at the 2006 SAG Awards during a 2016 interview on OWN. According to Van Dyke, he was drawn to Silver’s presence and introduced himself. Silver also said that while she felt Van Dyke looked familiar, she didn’t know who he was as she hadn’t watched his filmography.
People magazine reported that Silver became Van Dyke’s makeup artist. In addition, she became a source of support after his partner of over 30 years, Michelle Triola, died in 2009 following a battle with lung cancer.
In the OWN interview, Van Dyke said Silver would visit him, “cook [him] dinner,” and “just took care of [him].”
“So I mean, I had to marry her,” quipped Van Dyke.
Van Dyke was legally married to his first wife, Margie Willett, for 36 years before their 1984 divorce. The former couple share four children.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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